This looked well up to standard and it culminated in a superb finish, with the dead heat between CORNISH SETT and HORUS the fairest result after both had been given terrific rides.

Cornish Sett was one of several interesting novices in the line-up, and he did Racing Demon's Cheltenham chance no harm, as the Arkle favourite had given him 4lb and a 15-length beating at Exeter last month. He looked quirky on his chasing debut, also at Exeter, but hasn't done much wrong since, apart from on testing ground at Warwick, and he was game enough here under pressure. He has a choice of engagements at Cheltenham, but the Jewson, in which he will have a 4lb penalty, looks the race for him. He has an obvious chance and totesport make him 8-1 favourite.

Horus was 8lb lower than when second in the corresponding race a year ago, and the booking of Jamie Moore, who had won on him twice previously but had been absent for well over a year, was a major plus. Moore made a lot of use of him, and pressed on approaching the straight, which he entered five or six lengths clear. When headed in the last 50 yards they were still not done with, and they rallied to force a dead-heat on the line. He has three engagements at the Festival, including the Racing Post Plate over this trip. He is 16-1 with William Hill for that and their own race.

Albuhera, a stablemate of Cornish Sett, had a stiffish task for a novice with joint top-weight, and on paper there was little wrong with his final third place, staying on again after hitting the third last when a fair way behind. There are plenty of options.

Claymore has been laid out for this all season and looked fairly weighted, but he had no real excuse.

Last season's prolific hurdles winner Marcel has yet to win over fences, but he is getting better and would have been closer here but for hitting the second last, when making his effort up the inside. If he is to win over fences now this season it wants to be a decent prize, otherwise he might as well be kept a novice for next season.

Last year's winner Supreme Prince helped Horus force it but was done for before the home straight.The ground was probably plenty quick enough.

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