HAYDOCK PARK 15:25

Non Runners: COURT MINSTREL (IRE). Hurdles: 9.

Time: 3m 45.7s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 55.4s (96.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 127%, Betfair SP 100.1%

Not a vintage 'Swinton', and it was rather spoiled by an overly-strong pace that hindered the chance of at least 4 of the field, though the runner-up has been a standing dish in this race and the winner needs viewing very positively for having done so much so soon in his career; the pair responsible for setting things up were both ridden by claimers, though so was the winner, whose rider shone.

WAR SOUND has come an awful long way in little time, capped by this big-race success just 5 races into his career, taking a quiet route to this smart level having avoided any of the big 2m novice races last season but producing a performance that would have been worthy of a frame finish in a couple of them, certainly one to keep on the right side; tanked along in mid-field, made good progress 4 out, led on bridle between 3 out and 2 out and in command of a competitive field before the last, merely kept up to his work, if anything value a length or 2 extra; incidentally, he's been ridden on all bar one of his starts by this promising claimer, who was seen to good advantage once more, sensibly making his move before some of the experienced riders behind.

BARIZAN (IRE) sparked back to life in this race for the third successive year, runner-up twice since his 2013 win, more patient tactics than usual in the right race as it turned out; in touch out wide, shaken up from 4 out, not quicken between last 2, stayed on strongly run-in, took second late on.

SONG LIGHT found a strongly-run, big-field handicap suiting his style ideally and ran his best race to date, his rider putting up 2 lb overweight costing him second; patiently ridden, smooth headway 4 out, effort between 3 out and 2 out, second when crossing last, kept on despite losing that position late on.

BALLYGLASHEEN (IRE) who won this race last year from the same mark and in the same headgear, duly ran one of his better races since but there was a laboured element to it, his frame finish aided by the strong gallop; in rear, off the bridle before most, still plenty to do 2 out, only eighth crossing last but finished with a flourish to take fourth late on.

THE PLAN MAN (IRE) showed no ill-effects from his Punchestown unseat and ran respectably, albeit not appearing to knuckle down properly off the bridle; patiently ridden, travelled smoothly, out wide, headway 4 out, in touch when ridden 2 out, carried head awkwardly, no extra final 100 yds.

CHELTENIAN (FR) wasn't at all disgraced, up a stiff 7 lb for Ayr and asked to deliver in another competitive handicap after just 3 weeks off; in rear, still plenty to do fifth, effort home turn, ridden when mistake 2 out, no extra run-in.

FERGALL (IRE) a winner of a Flat maiden (stiff task in handicap next time) since his error-strewn chasing debut, shaped as if still in good form in a race featuring such a strong pace, deserving extra credit for doing best of those who raced close up; chased leaders, made mistakes, upsides sixth, went on home turn, headed 3 out, no extra from next.

ARZAL (FR) shaped well in one big handicap hurdle last season but was ridden too aggressively under his claimer in this one, the run best excused; pressed leader, took strong hold, ridden after 3 out, dropped away before next.

HANDIWORK brought with him only the negative traits he'd shown at Ayr, looking moody in truth; in rear, never travelling well, labouring back straight, merely closed up late.

VODKA WELLS (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade of handicap and raced closer to the pace than ideal; close up, went with zest, upsides after fifth, weakened 3 out.

SLEEPY HAVEN (IRE) again finished well held in a competitive, big-field handicap; tracked pace, driven after fifth, struggling when jumped left next.

RAYVIN BLACK clearly overdid his trademark forcing tactics in first-time cheekpieces; soon led, headed before 4 out, weakened.

LAST SUPPER was still off the pace when unseating at the fourth.

ROYAL GUARDSMAN (IRE) has been more miss than hit in 4 runs since returning from a hefty absence; mid-field, ridden early final circuit, struggling fifth.

LEXI'S BOY (IRE) went backwards from his belated reappearance, running a stinker; made mistakes and never travelled well, soon losing place.

RATHEALY (IRE) failed badly to repeat his Plumpton effort in this stronger race; mid-field, ridden from fourth, struggling before 4 out.