HUNTINGDON 14:25

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 13.49s Closing Sectional: (4.03f): 59.3s (103.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99.7%

A blend of returners, exposed types and one or 2 trying either a different trip or discipline, though the mixed shape of the field shouldn't detract from the progressive winner, who made pretty short work of a well-handicapped runner-up; all bar Midnight Appeal raced away from the inside, the first 2 among those taken widest, though the evidence wasn't sufficient to highlight a bias.

FORTHEFUNOFIT (IRE) whose Cheltenham third has proved strong form, confirmed the conspicuous promise of his effort there 4 months on with something in hand, borderline useful already with the strong likelihood of even better to come; in touch out wide, headway on bridle 3 out, jumped on 2 out, merely shaken up after and won cosily, McCoy not having to deliver anything like the full treatment; may need another win to ensure he gets into the weights for a Cheltenham handicap, with the Martin Pipe the obvious choice, the handicap experience he's gained this season - something the same owner's Full Shift lacked when a beaten favourite in the race last year - bound to stand him in good stead.

PARTY ROCK (IRE) reunited with this good-value claimer (aboard for career-best second at Aintree in December 2013), showed plenty of ability remains after 9 months off, giving an unexposed one most to think about, clearly competitive from his reduced mark; off pace out wide, smooth headway from 3 out, every chance between last 2, stayed on but unable to get winner under maximum pressure.

DAVERON (IRE) produced a career best as he finished a much closer third this time; patiently ridden, good progress 3 out, pushed along entering straight, stuck to task.

ONE FOR HARRY (IRE) returned to form back up to a more suitable trip, unharried in front but setting a good gallop; forced pace, avoided mistakes, pressed on early final circuit, headed 2 out, kept on.

MIDNIGHT APPEAL given a rare run over hurdles, went a long way to underlining he's a much better chaser (despite jumping problems in that sphere), probably not disgraced for all it was hard pre-race to predict how he might perform; tracked pace inside, every chance when hit 3 out, no extra between last 2.

DUBAWI ISLAND (FR) didn't get home upped in trip, not that he'd have won had this been over 2m, this more encouraging either way; patiently ridden, smooth headway after 3 out, shaken up approaching 2 out, not sustain effort.

HARRISTOWN ran poorly for the second successive start; chased leader, lost place sixth, labouring before 3 out.

NATHANS PRIDE (IRE) was another from this yard this winter to run no sort of race after 6 months off, no chance taken with his opening mark but beaten by more than that; tracked pace, raced freely, ridden approaching 3 out, folded soon after.

WILY FOX offered little after 9 months off; waited with, ridden after 4 out, made no impression.