HEREFORD 14:40

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 8. Race Distance Adjustment: +31 yds

Time: 4m 10.8s Closing Sectional: (5.45f): 81.3s (102.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 98.6%

A bunched finish to this handicap hurdle was in part due to the pace not being that strong, but also they don't appeal as a particularly well-handicapped bunch.

STAMP YOUR FEET (IRE) is less exposed than the rest, making his handicap debut after just 2 hurdle starts in the summer, and belied market weakness with an improved effort to open his account in this sphere after 5 months off; held up, not always fluent, ridden 3 out, headway between last 2, went third last, found plenty to lead on line; he could do with brushing up his jumping but remains open to improvement.

THE GIPPER (IRE) was strong in the betting and produced his best effort to date, only narrowly failing to justify the support; made running, headed when not fluent 2 out, driven before last, rallied well; the manner of this performance underlines that he should stay further than 2m.

ST SAVIOUR in first-time cheekpieces, bounced back to his best and went through the race like the pick of the weights, likely to have just held on had he not clipped the top of the final flight; in touch, went with enthusiasm, went handy fifth, led 2 out, untidy last, collared on line.

MATCHAWAY (IRE) returned to form, stepping up on his reappearance run; tracked pace, outpaced between 3 out and 2 out, stuck to task, though was subjected to very strong pressure; he should be suited by further than 2m.

OSCARTEEA (IRE) ran creditably back down in trip after 10 months off but looks handicapped to the hilt; mid-division, hit second, pushed along 3 out, held before last, one paced.

CENTURIUS was easy to back and possibly needed the run after 8 months off, shaping that way, although one notable mistake at the second last wouldn't have helped with his finishing effort, either; mid-division, travelled better than most, mistake fourth, close up when bad mistake 2 out, no extra approaching last; there could still be better to come from him in this sphere, useful on the Flat after all.

HERE'S HERBIE shaped as if needing the run after 7 months off; pressed leader, lost place after 3 out, weakened, not unduly punished.

VOLT FACE (FR) looked rusty on first outing since leaving David Pipe after 24 months off; in rear, hit fifth, beaten soon after 2 out, made little impression; next run should reveal more, though he's clearly been hard to train.

THE MAD WELL (IRE) again ran poorly; raced wide, held up, struggling 3 out, tailed off.