Saturday reaction: 'He would be dangerous to dismiss in the way 40-1 suggests'

Thyme could reverse form at Cheltenham

The last minute of the Porsche Long Walk Hurdle will undoubtedly be poured over intently in the wait for the next time that Paisley Park and Thyme Hill meet, with the score now 1-1 for the season.

Aidan Coleman blamed himself for getting squeezed out turning for home and there will be plenty who expect Paisley Park to more than confirm the form with a more straightforward run next time.

Relive a thriller: Long Walk Hurdle full result and race replay

But Thyme Hill should not be discounted from calculations, especially given that the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is not always the most truly run championship race at the festival.

He got outstayed here but his tactical speed and fluent jumping means this may not be the last time he gets the run of the race against his rival.

Nor was this a two-horse affair and Roksana has surely justified connections keeping her in open company rather than returning to the shallower waters of mares-only races.

Sojourn one to follow from Tommy Whittle

Sam's Adventure ground out a tough success in the Betfair Tommy Whittle Chase after Brian Hughes had barely come six inches off the rail the whole way round.

He lost all chance when badly hampered on his most recent visit to Haydock and looks all about stamina, meaning return visits to Merseyside for races such as the Peter Marsh Chase and the Grand National Trial looking obvious targets.

Sojourn travelled like a good horse and off a mark of 140 could be interesting if sneaking into the bottom of a nice race.

After only four starts over fences he looks open to further improvement after doing precious little wrong against a very stout stayer.

Malarky a big National price at 40-1

Stamina was the main requisite in Ascot's Silver Trophy and the first three home could all be types to make the line-up for the Grand National next April over a further mile and a quarter.

Mister Malarky got into a great rhythm up front and, while he has struggled to string performances together, were he to get out of the right side of the bed at Aintree he would be dangerous to dismiss in the way that 40-1 from Paddy Power suggests.

The Conditional is more consistent and will be far happier going left-handed, as his fine runs in the last two runnings of the Ladbrokes Trophy demonstrate.

Regal Encore will be 13 in a fortnight but he seems to be more adaptable in terms of ground in his dotage and, although he hasn't quite got home in two previous attempts at Aintree, is definitely worthy of another try.

Is Itchy Feet in love with chasing?

The eclipse of two highly rated rivals in Caribean Boy and Itchy Feet was a feather in the cap of the likeable Dashel Drasher, whose jumping won him Ascot's 2m5f graduation chase under a positive ride from Matt Griffiths.

Dashel Drasher outjumped two more fancied rivals in Caribean Boy (right) and Itchy Feet on his way to success at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Whether either of the beaten horses can be said to have reproduced their best form must be a doubt, with bookmakers issuing fairly tentative quotes around the 33-1 mark for the Ryanair Chase.

Itchy Feet produced at least two serious errors and made most of his ground up from a distant third on the level.

Despite being a Grade 1 winner over fences as a novice, there must at least be a thought at the back of Olly Murphy’s mind that it could be worth trying him at three miles back over hurdles in something like the Cleeve.

Results, replays and analysis

The real disappointment was Caribean Boy, who jumped soundly in the main but never travelled with the same fluency as when winning a Grade 2 novice chase at Newbury last month.

He has the size and scope to still be an exciting prospect and it is to be hoped that better ground will see him resume his upward curve.

How the results affected the markets

Paisley Park 7-2 (from 5) for the Stayers' Hurdle with Betfair and Paddy Power
Thyme Hill 7-2 (from 9-2) for the Stayers' Hurdle with Betfair and Paddy Power
Mister Malarky 40-1 (first show) for the Grand National with Betfair and Paddy Power
Dashel Drasher 33-1 (first show) for the Ryanair Chase with Paddy Power

More Saturday reaction:

'He's the ultimate stayer' - turbo kicks in as Paisley Park snatches Long Walk

'I get a huge kick out of training him' - Not So Sleepy stars at Ascot again

Hughes shows champion class with double headed by impressive Sam's Adventure

'Not a dry eye in the house' – 40-1 outsider provides poignant success

Saudi Arabia could be next after Sangarius survives stewards' inquiry drama

What a start: watch Hollie Doyle kick off her big weekend with Deauville win

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here