Verdict

Vendor's run at Aintree was too bad to be true but Alan King's charge has a bit to prove now. Nicky Henderson has won this four times and LYVIUS won twice over hurdles in his first season. He won a couple of times on the Flat in Germany when there was plenty of give in the ground and looks a decent alternative to Edgardo Sol, who is trying to emulate stablemate Rock On Ruby by winning this under 11st10lb but can't be mentioned in the same breath as the subsequent Champion Hurdler and will probably be back over fences sooner rather than later. Peckhamecho's future may also lie over the larger obstacles while Call Back needs to step up on what he's shown so far and Valid Reason has gone up 3lb for finishing second at Sandown.

Formwatch

Lyvius 20-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, tracked leaders 4th, outpaced on outside 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 37l behind Grumeti (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.

Edgardo Sol (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, jumped left, chased winner 6th until 4 out, no chance with winner when went 2nd again last, 2nd of 5, 26l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs.

Peckhamecho (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led until 3rd, led after next, mistake 5th, hit 7th and headed, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Theatre Guide (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs.

Valid Reason 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, effort on inside to chase winner 2 out, upsides last, still every chance flat, no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind General Ting (10-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.

Call Back 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, drew readily clear after 2 out, eased final 110 yards, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Ivan Vasilevich (10-7) by 15l, 6 ran.

Vendor (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway after 5th, mistake 7th, weakened appraoching 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Simonside (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Oct, 10 ran.