A STRICT reading of the clock would lead you to conclude that the Pertemps Hurdle winner Third Wind could step up and be competitive in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Third Wind (149) clocked a faster overall time and final circuit time than Flooring Porter (147) did but the latter clocked a quicker closing sectional from the second last hurdle, which suggests Danny Mullins executed a perfectly judged front-running ride aboard Gavin Cromwell’s dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner.