CHELTENHAM 14:25

All 20 ran. Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +90 yds

Time: 5m 12s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 59s (96.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 132%, Betfair SP 100.9%

A strong renewal of one of the great handicap chases, with a case to be made for a vast majority of the runners, and the race itself was a proper test of stamina - the first 3 all strong stayers - and jumping, run at a good pace, with the form making plenty of sense, worth viewing positively, the first 7 all rated as running at least respectably, the principals capable of playing their part in similar races through the winter.

ANNACOTTY (IRE) on his first outing since leaving Martin Keighley after 7 months off, proved better than ever, really well suited by the way the race was run, not travelling at the top of the hill but finding loads for pressure; mid-division, ridden end of back straight, found plenty to lead run-in, ridden out; he holds a Hennessy entry, and the December Gold Cup is another possible option, though a trip to Ascot for the Silver Cup over 3m later that month might be a better target.

BUYWISE (IRE) was unfortunate on the face of it, required to switch after the last but for which he might well have won, despite his jumping, though his record tempers enthusiasm for his gaining compensation, likely to be overbet and with the run of this ideal for the way in which he races; in rear, typically made mistakes, met some trouble before fourth, ridden before 3 out, still plenty to do approaching straight, stayed on strongly after 2 out, forced to switch run-in, just failed.

SOUND INVESTMENT (IRE) ran another fine race, better than ever in fact, a stouter finisher than he was in his younger days and worth another try at 3m; held up, headway after 3 out, stayed on strongly straight, chased leader run-in, one paced close home; will continue to give good account.

DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) fully confirmed the promise of his Ascot effort, in good heart and likely to continue to give a good account; in touch, every chance from 3 out, led briefly next, not quicken run-in.

IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) shaped as well as any, just pressing on earlier than ideal and not seeing the race out so well as some of his rivals, more than capable of winning a good handicap off this mark; held up, travelled well, good progress 4 out, led 3 out, led again briefly last, no extra final 100 yds.

ART MAURESQUE (FR) ran creditably on his first start out of novice company, looking well served by the demands of the race, worth a try over further at some stage; prominent, travelled well, lost place 3 out, rallied well before last, not quicken final 100 yds.

SPLASH OF GINGE hadn't shown his form for a while but got back on track, running close to his best novice form, still having some potential to build on this; prominent, ridden before 3 out, held when mistake next.

MONETAIRE (FR) was without the headgear he'd worn on his last 2 starts and was below form after 7 months off, on and off the bridle, but also leaving the impression he'd be better for the run; held up, went in snatches, mistake third, headway 3 out, mistake next, no extra.

JOHNS SPIRIT (IRE) has a good record in this race but wasn't at his best this time around, unable to land a blow; in rear, some headway before 3 out, beaten when blundered 2 out.

NEXT SENSATION (IRE) seemed very unlikely to benefit from the step up in trip and duly failed to get home, ridden in typical fashion; led until tenth, weakened before 3 out.

KINGS PALACE (IRE) was well backed for his first start out of novice company, raced around 3m over fences previously, but he ran below expectations after 8 months off, like many from his stable returning at this meeting shaping as if either short of full fitness or not quite right, that compounded by making his move earlier than ideal; in touch, headway early final circuit, led eleventh, headed 3 out, weakened straight; remains with potential.

OSCAR ROCK (IRE) failed to confirm previous form, 2 steps forward then a step back, his mark making it difficult to find a soft opportunity in which he could get back on track; held up, ridden 4f out, never on terms.

CLOUD CREEPER (IRE) is probably in some sort of form, but he was prevented from showing as much by 2 significant mistakes, finishing well held; in rear, blundered sixth, lost touch eighth, keeping on when bad mistake 2 out, not persevered with once held.

COCKTAILS AT DAWN had won a race that has worked out well at Chepstow, but he was seen to maximum advantage that day and wasn't in anything like the same form, faced with much more competition for the lead; chased leader, led ninth, headed eleventh, weakened 3 out.

GENEROUS RANSOM (IRE) back over fences, shaped more encouragingly, up to a point, than on his return, though he failed to see things out, possibly still needing the run; in touch, travelled well, headway before 4 out, weakening when mistake next.

BENNYS MIST (IRE) looked out of sorts and, while he may revive at Aintree next month, there are a few questions against him after this; mid-division, labouring badly early final circuit, slow twelfth, pulled up.

PRESENT VIEW in first-time blinkers, was the victim of a standing start on his return to fences, left briefly and still behind when pulled up after eighth; that said, he did give trouble in the pre-race parade.

DARNA ran poorly after 7 months off; handy, blundered sixth, struggling when bad mistake twelfth, pulled up 3 out.

SHANPALLAS (IRE) could be fancied on the pick of his form but his big price in the market was a harbinger of a poor effort, spared a hard time when it was obvious he wasn't going to get involved; held up, behind when pulled up 3 out.

BOONDOOMA (IRE) clearly wasn't himself, a shame after he was so impressive on his return, reportedly lame afterwards; handy, weakened quickly eleventh, hit next, pulled up 3 out.