CHELTENHAM credentials were on the line at Haydock as Jonbon (148+) took another step towards the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Tommy’s Oscar (150+) made lightwork of a relatively substandard field in the Grade 2 Champion Hurdle Trial.

Tommy’s Oscar posted the fastest time although on my timings the difference would have been less than the official time with just 1.9secs separating the pair over the full course and distance.

The margin reduces when shortening the two races to the final circuit and Nicky Henderson’s gelding edged the closing sectionals from the fourth last hurdle.

Jonbon stopped the clock at 90.7secs for his closing sectional and was probably value for running faster as he was inconvenienced when jumping into the back of Donny Boy at the third last hurdle.

In easily gathering in the front-running Global Citizen (145), Tommy’s Oscar covered the same ground in 91.3secs.

A comparison with the other lower grade hurdles on the card illustrates both contests to be above average as Small Present (135) clocked 95.1secs for his concluding sectional and although The Grey Falco (118) was faster, his 93.1secs was achieved of an overall time 9.6secs slower than Tommy’s Oscar.

Peter Marsh

Royale Pagaille (156+) made it back-to-back wins in the Peter Marsh Chase despite having to work much harder than last year to see off the sustained challenge of Sam Brown.

The overall race time portrayed the gallop to be strong throughout with the runner-up responsible for setting the field a test of stamina.

Analysis of the final circuit shows why one-by-one, the challengers to Sam Brown (154) and Lord Du Mesnil dropped away in the home straight as the early sectionals were the equal of the opening Grade 2 and the handicap over the minimum chase distance at the track.

Charlie Deutsch reported his partner to not have travelled as well through the early stages of the final circuit as last year, further confirming the strong pace.

However, when asked to close on the front runners the eight-year-old found enough stamina to close out the race from the last in the back straight in 1m47.9secs.

In comparison Minella Drama (144+) covered the same ground in 1m44.7 secs and Oscars Leader (122) 1m46.4secs.

Given their proximity to the Cheltenham Gold Cup bound winner and how strongly they saw out the race both Sam Brown and Fortescue (150) will be of interest if returning to the Merseyside course for the Grand National Trial.