AYR 15:00

Non Runners: THE BIG BITE (IRE). Fences: 18.

Time: 5m 6.8s Closing Sectional: (2.3f): 31.6s (108.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99.8%

A substandard handicap for the grade but it was one of the novices among them that did just enough to deny an older pair with contrasting profiles of their own in a closely-fought battle from the last, Saint Calvados having ensured a true pace allowed to bowl along.

RICHMOND LAKE (IRE) predictably had to work harder than at Haydock but still had enough about him to follow up as he added to a sound first season chasing, finding a bit of improvement each time he's made the track; prominent main group, mistake third, smooth headway straight, forced to switch soon after 3 out, effort last, quickened to lead final 100 yds, ridden out; he can't go up much more, either.

DUBAI DAYS (IRE) looks better than ever, just denied having gone back up to as high a mark as he's ever had; dropped out, steady headway from 5 out, effort when not fluent 2 out, rallied, pressed leader from last, ran on.

SAINT CALVADOS (FR) stopped the slide to some tune, showing he's still very smart on his day, though he did have the run of the race after getting into a smooth rhythm down in class in a smaller field; forced pace, jumped accurately, went with zest, quickened 4 out, reduced advantage when ridden from 2 out, headed only final 100 yds, lost second on line; this is presumably just about his limit these days.

CHRISTOPHER WOOD (IRE) isn't progressing as a chaser, which is no great surprise given his background, his jumping not so easy to defend this time back up in trip after 11 weeks off; few mistakes, chased leader early, lost ground third, pushed along home turn, rallied until 3 out, no further impression.

KILLER CLOWN (IRE) fared better than he had since his return following another 8 weeks off; chased leader until 3 out, weakened, with lack of peak fitness perhaps telling.

BASS ROCK (FR) proved a bigger let-down but did have to be checked over by the vet after receiving a kick at the start, plus it would be no surprise if he fires back into life if freshened up again for next autumn (started campaign so well at that time of year this season); waited with, not fluent, lost ground before fifth, never going well from circuit out, rallied briefly 5 out, left behind again straight and well back when unseated following another error last.

BARON DE MIDLETON (IRE) had his winning run ended with something of a whimper, later said to have bled; waited with, headway early final circuit, lost place when blundered thirteenth, soon beaten.