CHELTENHAM 13:50

Non Runners: IRISH CAVALIER (IRE). Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +73 yds

Time: 5m 20.3s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 59.7s (97.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100.9%

This race tends not to be quite so competitive as the Paddy Power, though it attracted the first 3 from that race as well as a trio of other last-time-out winners and certainly appeared competitive enough beforehand; however, despite a good pace, it was a race in which very few ever looked likely to be involved, the winner dominating from start to finish and only the fourth of those held up making any real inroads in the closing stages.

VILLAGE VIC (IRE) progressed again to complete a hat-trick, under a really attacking ride, such tactics paying dividends more than once in the handicap chases at the meeting, his bold jumping making it hard for those in his wake to land a blow; raced clear, jumped boldly, went with zest, ridden straight, found plenty; the series of races over this trip round here make for an obvious programme for him for the rest of the season, though whether things will fall quite so well for him another time remains to be seen.

CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) had been off since falling at Sandown in January but returned to run at least as well as previously over fences, well positioned as things unfolded, but doing well to shrug off a significant error with a circuit to go; prominent, travelled well, bad mistake seventh, chased leader after 3 out, ridden straight, kept on, no impression on winner; not yet fully exposed over fences and sure to go well again.

TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) ran creditably, up significantly in the weights and in a much more competitive race than last time, needing no excuses; in touch, went prominent eighth, ridden 3 out, one paced next.

BUYWISE (IRE) ran creditably yet again in one of these races, the only one to make significant headway in the straight, avoiding serious mistakes, but the run of the race just not going his way; held up, ridden when mistake 4 out, kept on well straight, nearest at the finish.

SOUND INVESTMENT (IRE) wasn't disgraced, though the stout finish of his recent efforts was notable by its absence back on softer ground; mid-division, travelled well, headway before 3 out, ridden next, found little.

ANNACOTTY (IRE) was below form, turning in a lacklustre effort in his bid to land the rare double of this race and the Paddy Power, the race oddly (on a stiffer course) not suiting his style of running so well; held up, off the bridle long way out, never a threat.

ART MAURESQUE (FR) couldn't match his effort in the Paddy Power, one of several that normally race up with the pace that were more patiently ridden and didn't seem to benefit from it; in touch, ridden 3 out, made little impression.

DOCTOR PHOENIX (IRE) was below form, more patiently ridden in a much more competitive race; held up, never a threat.

JOHNS SPIRIT (IRE) under a change of rider, fared no better and, while the run of the race didn't really suit those held up, it's doubtful he's returned in much form; held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms.

LITTLE JON has a poor record at this course, with usually at least one significant mistake, for all that he can be a bold jumper, and that was the case again, his chance effectively gone a circuit out; chased leader, all but came down seventh, not recover.

SHANTOU MAGIC (IRE) ran poorly under a change of tactics; held up, bad mistake 4 out, always behind.

TURN OVER SIVOLA (FR) was well held after 7 weeks off; in touch, mistake tenth, ridden before 3 out, made no impression.

MOZOLTOV was a smart novice on his day in 2013/14 but ran no sort of race after 20 months off, looking windy from the off; soon detached, jumped poorly, pulled up before thirteenth.

TEXAS JACK (IRE) hadn't made much impact in the Galway Plate in the summer and his second stab at a handicap proved no more successful; in rear, clouted eighth, pulled up before thirteenth, looked less than straightforward.