Three experts nominate the horse who impressed them most on Saturday - including a Grand National candidate

'He's got the rating and profile to be dangerous in the top staying handicap chases'

I loved Trelawne's performance in the graduation chase at Haydock. Horses who travel strongly and jump well can pile the pressure on their rivals from the front and that's exactly what he did before making a mistake at the last.

I suspect he was always going to hold off Iroko. That horse is being aimed at the Grand National and the 50-1 about Trelawne for the Aintree showpiece makes plenty of ante-post appeal.

He fell at an early stage in the Ultima last year but Kim Bailey likes to target that race and I'd imagine it would be the perfect stepping stone. He's got the rating and profile to be dangerous in some of the top staying handicap chases.
Maddy Playle, reporter

Too early to write off State Man

Brighterdaysahead showed a terrific attitude to get the better of State Man but it's surely far too early to be writing off the reigning Champion hurdler. Even allowing for Jack Kennedy's assertion that Brighterdaysahead didn't enjoy making her own running, she wasn't particularly fluent at a couple of her hurdles and will need to take another step forward, something her rider acknowledged himself. 

The Champion Hurdle picture is as clear as mud but State Man has already shown he has the level required, and was conceding race-fitness to a much better rival than he had faced in either of his previous Morgiana victories.

State Man (right) was denied a Morgiana Hurdle hat-trick by BrighterdaysaheadCredit: Patrick McCann

Even then he might have won but for bungling the last and, while I wouldn't be falling over myself to have a bet in the Champion with so many questions swirling around, surely State Man will still be a big factor come March.
Scott Burton, France correspondent

'More success in that sphere could be on the cards'

Lucky Place may have been favourably treated at the weights, but I was impressed with his successful return in the Ascot Hurdle.

It is important to remember that the five-year-old was one of the best performers of Nicky Henderson’s struggling string at last season’s Cheltenham Festival when finishing fourth in the Coral Cup.

Lucky Place beat last year’s winner Blueking D’Oroux, Champion Hurdle fifth Colonel Mustard and Cheltenham Festival heroine Golden Ace to land a deserved first Graded victory.

More success in that sphere could be forthcoming and while his trainer’s attention is dominated by concerns about star stablemate Constitution Hill, he may have found an ideal candidate to tackle Cheltenham’s Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day. Henderson has won that Grade 2 four times since 2008, most recently with Marie’s Rock.
Charlie Huggins, reporter

Read more . . .

Royale Pagaille successfully defends his Betfair Chase crown after stamina-sapping battle with Grey Dawning 

Kim Bailey's Trelawne shines on return to land graduation chase with Cotswold Chase among potential aims 

'The Mares' Hurdle is made for her' - Champion bid unlikely for Brighterdaysahead despite downing State Man in Morgiana 

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