A race containing a few runners fresh from appearances at the Cheltenham Festival in March and it looks very competitive. Medermit is a worthy favourite after a terrific performance in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but there are some improving sorts lingering in the line-up as well as some older stars who need to find their past form if they are to feature.
Medermit looks a progessive type for Alan King and holds an excellent if he can repeat his form behind Go Native at Cheltenham. He is has a nice combination of speed and stamina and Robert Thornton is expected to put it to full use. His run in the Supreme was exceptional as he was held up and made headway approaching two out but was hampered at the last as horses in front of him began to weaken as they reached the rising ground. Medermit rallied and stuck on gamely under pressure and would have won over a few more strides but was beaten by a quarter of a length by the impressive winner. He is very lightly raced and his trainer is plotting him well. He sprung a shock at Ascot in December as he won a Grade 2 by a short head, that coming against the best crop of novice hurdlers in Britain at the time. It will be disappointing if he does not go close, even though the ground may be a tad quick for him.
Ski Sunday could be the one to trouble Medermit the most after some superb runs recently. After two wins in lesser company, Tim Vaughan had no qualms in chucking him in the Fred Winter against some progressive types. He ran a blinder that day behind Silk Affair after staying on up the hill but had no chance with the winner, herself looking a mare to go on to better things. He made a quick re-appearance at Aintree in the four-year-old Grade 1 Hurdle but was beaten 13 lengths by the immensely-talented Walkon, who may run in the Champion Hurdle next season. It is worth noting that Ski Sunday beat everything else by another 13 lengths, those behind including Starluck and Hebridean, themselves being impressive winners earlier on in the season. This young horse deserves to be in the winners' enclosure again but could well do so if he continues his rapid rate of improvement.
Snap Tie has a chance if he can produce his best form which saw him beat 2008 Champion Hurdle winner Katchit at the start of the season. Since then, Philip Hobbs' star has found life difficult in top company even though he ran a nice ran in the Champion Hurdle but was beaten 14 lengths by winner Punjabi. The good ground is firmly in his favour ad with his stable in form he is fancied to make the placings. It will be some performance if he can win carrying top weight of 11st 10lbs against some young pretenders.
Sentry Duty is an interesting runner for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty and he is another who needs to show his true form after a disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle. Before that, he won two big handicaps in impressive fashion and looked the type to win again but may find himself up against it here under a big weight. He has it to do to overcome his current handicap mark but he may bounce back on this better ground. He is a strong traveller and a slick jumper which are good qualities to have in this sphere and it would not be surprising to see him post an improved effort.
Noble Alan is an unexposed type who could go well if fit enough. He ran behind Sentry Duty in December but has not raced since but trainer Nicky Richards is in good form and ought to give his running. Blue Bajan won the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock last year in impressive style and looked a hurdler in the making but struggled at Aintree last time out in the Aintree Hurdle, where he was well beaten. He is ground-dependent and this good ground will be right up his street but top weight may rule out his chances.
The remainder could make the placings but nothing stands out. Emmpat won this race two years ago and is race-fit after some runs on the all weather at Dundalk.
Selections: 1st - Medermit, 2nd - Ski Sunday, 3rd - Sentry Duty.
Result: 1st - Noble Alan, 17/2, 2nd - Secret Tune, 16/1, 3rd - Harper Valley, 16/1.
Noble Alan was an interesting contender from an in-form stable and he stayed on stoutly to win comfortably under Davy Condon. He was always travelling well and he loomed up going well with three furlongs to go and quickly put a few lengths between himself and the remainding runners. Secret Tune ran a nice race for Tom George and Paddy Brennan and announced himself as a progressive horse after two recent wins at Newbury. Harper Valley set a sedate pace throughout and stuck on well for third. Blue Bajan ran a cracker in fourth after being forced wide round the final bend and carrying top weight he showed a determined attitude. He should win soon.
Favourite Medermit was very disappointing in the circumstances and failed to show the form he produced at Cheltenham, finishing fifth in the end. He was in the rear for the first half of the race but his jockey quickly shuffled him up the field but his jumping was poor and he failed to quicken when asked. Ski Sunday ran below form and may be over the top following two hard races before this. Sentry Duty and Snap Tie both look laboured in their efforts and like Ski Sunday, look in need of a break as they have had a long season.
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