THE other two hurdle races on the Gold Cup day card were run at opposite ends of the pace chart with the Albert Bartlett proving to be a stern test of stamina and the concluding Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ hurdle a test of finishing speed.

The early gallop in the Albert Bartlett was set by Classic Getaway and Stag Horn, who both failed to complete the race as a result of their early exertions, while the well-fancied Hillcrest was never able to go the gallop.

Minella Cocooner (151+) always looked comfortable near the speed and, setting out on the final circuit, Paul Townend allowed his mount to stride to the lead, which caused gaps to open in the field almost immediately.

A mistake at the second obstacle in the back straight stopped his momentum slightly although, by the time the field descended the hill to the second last, the son of Flemensfirth forced all except the eventual winner, The Nice Guy (155), off the bridle.

The Nice Guy looked a thorough stayer in completing the section from the second last hurdle in the slowest time of the day as he stopped the clock at 55.5secs.

Bardenstown Lad (149) finished in third and finished his race off better than Minella Cocooner despite being 2.5secs slower through the closing sectional than the winner, further supporting the theory Willie Mullins’ first choice in the market failed to see out the three-mile trip.

Ballygriffincottage (147) benefitted from a well-judged ride from Harry Skelton as the partnership charted a course up the rail into fourth and Green Book (143) who raced alone on the far side of the track also deserves credit for his finishing effort.

As there are six weeks until Punchestown there is likely enough recovery time for the Irish runners to be seen at their best and I would have no hesitation supporting Minella Cocooner if he dropped back in trip to two and a half miles. The six-year-old is as much about speed as stamina and his slick jumping will be more of an advantage at a shorter distance.

Green Book is a battle-hardened flat handicapper so it is not inconceivable he will make an appearance at Aintree although he was treated for post-race ataxia so may need longer to recover. There are certainly more handicaps to be won with the son of Authorized.

Incident-packed

There were incidents a-plenty in the concluding race where it also paid to be handy, a position Banbridge (128+) took throughout in the hands of Mark McDonagh.

Joseph O’Brien’s gelding took the measure of front-running Bigz Belief with a good jump at the second last hurdle before proving too strong for the more patiently ridden Cobblers Dream (126+).

I would consider the pair still well handicapped even if they go up in the ratings as they pulled nicely clear of Hollow Games (125+) and Freedom To Dream (125+) who brought Grade 1 form to the race from the Dublin Racing Festival.

Both have proven themselves in contests run at a stronger pace in the past so I would recommend they are added to your tracker for future handicap engagements with Ben Case’s Lanzarote Hurdle winner making the most appeal.

Party Business (121+) endured a luckless run as he was brought to a near standstill when Grand Jury fell in front of him at the second hurdle and was again hampered in the backwash of Decimation crashing out at the flight in front of the stands. The six-year-old was always fighting a losing battle after the interference although still came home strongly to suggest three miles is within his compass.