The winners of this contest have had a very mixed record and this did not look a vintage edition, with only two of the 20 who turned up for a below-par Supreme Novices' Hurdle moving on to Merseyside. It also contained a few too many exposed sorts rated some way less than 130. But, that said, the presence of the Supreme second, the County Hurdle winner and a couple more examples of tasty untapped talent made for a race worthy of Grade 2 billing.

In the end, however, the race unfolded the same way as the Sefton earlier in the day, with only one horse mattering from a long way out. The horse in question, STRAW BEAR, would have won at Cheltenham had he not landed awkwardly at the final flight. But, even though he was unlucky on that occasion, this was almost certainly a better performance anyway. It was impossible not to be impressed by the way in which he cruised along under Tony McCoy and also by the flamboyant nature of his leaps over the final three flights, which strongly suggested he had plenty more in the tank.

That assessment was backed up by the manner in which the winner easily drew away from the last, eventually hitting the line 13 lengths clear without having been asked anything like a serious question. Punchestown could be on the agenda before the summer comes. Further ahead, the Champion Hurdle, for which the Nick Gifford-trained five year-old is Ladbrokes' 10-1 joint second favourite, has to be the aim. It's a realistic aim too, because the gelding possesses bags of toe, his jumping can get slicker and he can only improve, with his dislike of quicker ground the only negative. Intriguingly, too, Straw Bear's emergence towards the top of the tree could have a knock-on effect for Brave Inca, as McCoy could well find himself unavailable for the reigning champion, aboard whom his presence has been so important. What is for sure, though, is that after a period of Irish domination of the two-mile hurdling scene, Straw Bear and outstanding juvenile Detroit City are at least threatening to give the Brits something to shout about.

Conna Castle's record suggested he would probably have preferred softer conditions, but he still managed to run the race of his life to take second. While admittedly he was no match for the winner, he did finish five lengths clear of the third, having been prominent from the off. He's no superstar but there are plenty of muddy races in Ireland to be won with him.

Senorita Rumbalita is a credit to her connections and she again gave her all. Her pace had been the key to victory in a tactical Sandown Grade 2 contest, and this might well have been just as good a run. She is already worth an awful lot as a broodmare, but there's a fair chance she will enhance her value before she heads off to the paddocks.

Circassian ran as well as could be expected, but Listed winner Wanango was given a bizarre ride, having been positioned well behind the main pack in no man's land. He made headway to close from there but was beaten when hampered by the fall of Welcome Stranger at the second-last. The latter, a Listed winner on the Flat, had not jumped well prior to his exit, but he did show he is good enough to win at a similar level over hurdles.

Whispered Promises dropped away after being up with the leaders, and his finishing position does not do him justice. This, following on from his respectable eighth in the Supreme Novices', marked him down as more than useful.

Bureaucrat stopped as if shot and was a massive disappointment, as was County Hurdle winner Desert Quest. The latter had been so impressive in the Cheltenham cavalry charge, and this track should have played to his strengths, but he was a spent force early in the straight. While it's true that he would not be the most straightforward individual, this was patently not his running and he simply ran flat . The run should be forgotten and he remains of interest for the better hurdles next season.[LM]

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