ASCOT 15:35

All 8 ran. Fences: 13. Race Distance Adjustment: +56 yds

Time: 4m 19.8s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 61.6s (94.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.3%

A relatively new Grade 1, that has too often been a victory lap for one top horse, but this was much more competitive on paper than most runnings, with 3 proven Grade 1 performers in the line-up and a couple with pretensions to advancing to that level, one of the latter pair making the big step forward and announcing himself as a top-class chaser, the keys to his performance as good a ride as you'll see over fences and a better round of jumping than the second in a strongly-run race that the pair dominated from start to finish.

FIRST FLOW (IRE) has taken a while to reach this level but once here, he didn't waste the opportunity, showing himself a top-class chaser, turning in much his best round of jumping and given a superb attacking ride; chased leader, jumped well in main, went with zest, upsides sixth, went on 4 out, shaken up after 2 out, kept on well, ridden out; whether he can repeat this at Cheltenham remains to be seen, still to prove himself at the track, but this form suggests that, on his day, he's as good as there is amongst the established 2m chasers currently trained in Britain.

POLITOLOGUE (FR) remains in good form, that he didn't run to his best due to the improved effort of the winner, who gave him little respite on the final circuit and ultimately caused him to crack after the second last; led, jumped slightly left, travelled well, joined sixth, headed 4 out, ridden straight, left behind by winner approaching last, plugged on run-in; unlike the winner, he's proven at Cheltenham and there's every chance he'll give a solid account again in the Champion Chase.

WAITING PATIENTLY (IRE) was placed yet again, given more chance to land a blow over this much shorter trip, but his finishing effort rather falling short, ultimately disappointing that he couldn't get past the second, a bit below his best; waited with, travelled well, went third sixth, ridden straight, hung right, hit 2 out, not quicken last; it's possible this came a little soon for him after the King George, but he would make limited appeal if making his Cheltenham bow at the Festival, by then over 3 years since his last win.

FANION D'ESTRUVAL (FR) back at 2m, ran well upped in grade, fully confirming the promise of his run in the Peterborough last time, 2 years or more younger than his rivals and likely to remain of interest just below top level for some time to come; mid-division, headway before ninth, ridden after 3 out, disputed third last, one paced.

DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) had been given 2 months off since his underwhelming return, but he was again below par, not finishing his race after being alongside the third and fourth 2 out; held up, headway seventh, ridden approaching 3 out, not quicken early in straight, mistake 2 out, weakened before last; he still has a fair bit to prove.

LE PATRIOTE (FR) was simply flying too high in this grade; held up, labouring sixth.

DUC DES GENIEVRES (FR) was well held, under a change of tactics, perhaps a drop to handicap company an option to try and get his season back on track; dropped out, labouring ninth, tailed off when bad mistake 3 out.

BUN DORAN (IRE) would have needed to be right at the top of his game to make any impact at this level and he wasn't (again), in common with many from his stable; chased leaders until sixth, labouring after next, pulled up straight.