A smaller than anticipated field has been drawn together for the feature race of the day but it can be considered significant that Howard Johnson has decided to save Lord Transcend for another day and instead relies upon last season's Pertemps Hurdle winner Inching Closer. Of the rest: Eyez has a good attitude and has improved in each of his three previous outings over fences, while Island Faith and Thyneandthyneagain have a little to prove after below par efforts last time. The line up is completed by Shining Thyne, who already has plenty to find with the selection after their meeting over course and distance last month. So, in summary, this valuable prize looks to be their for the taking for Inching Closer, whose hurdles form alone puts him in a different class to today's opposition. That is backed up by the natural aptitude he showed on his chasing debut and, barring accidents, he is easily the one they are all unlikely to be able to beat.
