AINTREE 14:30

All 6 ran. Fences: 19.

Time: 6m 21.9s

Overrounds: Industry SP 107%, Betfair SP 99.3%

Even though Silviniaco Conti and Dynaste, the highest-rated pair, filled the first 2 positions neither of them ran close to the pick of their form, underlined by a bunched finish, with 25/1-shot Argocat not beaten far into third; with no regular front runner in the line-up it wasn't a surprise that the gallop was on the steady side, with things not picking up fully until well into the final circuit.

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) hasn't put up the top staying chase performance of the season, that going to Cue Card in the Betfair, but he is now the only horse in 2013/14 to have won two Grade 1 chases at 3m+, handling a quick turnaround from the Gold Cup this time, though he didn't have to be at his best in a race that, relatively speaking, didn't take a huge amount of winning; made running, mistake thirteenth, headed after 4 out, led again next, wandered after 2 out, idled flat; the kinks in his finishing effort that have crept into recent performances (also hung on run-in at Cheltenham) are a bit of a concern and it could be that headgear would help him to keep fully focused.

DYNASTE (FR) has had just one blip this season when not 100% in the King George, otherwise consistent kept exclusively to Grade 1 events, not at his very best this day admittedly, but all things considered it was a creditable run; held up, travelled well, crept closer after seventh, tracked pace 5 out, every chance last, one paced; he'll presumably be campaigned similarly in the autumn and will hold sound claims in such as the Betfair and King George, but whether an increased stamina test in the Gold Cup - which is reportedly set to be his main spring target next year - will suit is questionable.

ARGOCAT (IRE) faced his stiffest task to date, in an open Grade 1 for the first time, and ran a career best; raced off the pace, in touch 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out, stuck to task; there's no reason why he won't continue in form but with neither Silviniaco Conti nor Dynaste at their best his proximity shouldn't be taken as meaning that he's suddenly a strong contender for the very top staying prizes.

FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) hasn't been quite the same horse this season as last, neither quite so good or consistent, and under almost identical conditions as when winning this race in 2013 he could finish only a respectable fourth this time around; pressed leader, edged ahead after 4 out, headed next, still every chance between last 2, one paced.

MENORAH (IRE) ran much better than on previous couple of outings this season but this is still some way removed from the top-class form he produced in the last couple of seasons and, unsurprisingly, it was some sloppy jumping that ultimately put paid to his chance; mid-division, went with enthusiasm, third when bad mistake 5 out, every chance when slow 2 out, effort flattened out; he ran well in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham's April meeting after finishing second in this race last year and may well head there again.

HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) faced another stiff task and ran similarly to in the Gold Cup, again under less testing conditions than ideal; prominent, made mistakes, lost place ninth, labouring badly early final circuit, first beaten.