CHELTENHAM 15:30

Non Runners: EMPIRE OF DIRT (IRE). Fences: 22.

Time: 6m 36.2s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 57.4s (100.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 99.2%

A trio of 7-y-os, who had all run well in novice races at the meeting in 2016, filled the places, the winner Sizing John the youngest since 6-y-o Long Run of chasing's blue riband, his performance not in the same league as that horse, or that of Don Cossack, last season's victor, sadly now retired, but while this wasn't an outstanding Gold Cup in terms of form, it was still well up to standard and promising more, the winner only just starting to show what he can do as a stayer, the performances of the second and third the finest endorsement yet for the changes made to the NH Chase in the last decade; there were notable absentees, the King George winner Thistlecrack most obviously, though the 2015 winner Coneygree and the much lamented Many Clouds were others that would have enhanced the field; it was a race run at an even gallop, ensuring stamina came to the fore late on, the second and third both strong stayers, and it was a notably fair race, with no hard-luck stories, Cue Card falling when in touch but not going so well as others 3 out, in all likelihood the end of a notable Cheltenham Festival career which included wins in the 2010 Champion Bumper and 2013 Ryanair as well as a second to Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle.

SIZING JOHN has improved since stepped up in trip this year and completed a hat-trick in fine style, showing himself a top-class staying chaser, always looking to be where his rider wanted and responding really well when asked for his effort; mid-division, travelled well, effort after 3 out, led soon after next, kept on well run-in, ridden out; he'll presumably go next to Punchestown, where he ought to take all the beating, only just starting out at staying distances.

MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, ran well, faced with his stiffest task yet, given a good ride by Noel Fehily; held up, jumped fluently, outpaced 3 out, stayed on strongly approaching last, took second dying strides; this was barely enough of a test of stamina for him and he looks made for the Grand National, obviously going to look well-in if he takes his chance, although he would be a rare 7-y-o that could cope with the demands of that race at this stage of his career.

NATIVE RIVER (IRE) is a splendid horse in every way and, though he came up just short in his first attempt at this level, he never stopped trying, even as others were going better than him, battling back past Djakadam near the finish; led from second, headed seventh, led again fifteenth, headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, not quicken, kept on well run-in; he was so good at Aintree last season, that he must go well in the Bowl if sent there this time, hopefully a fixture at this level for several seasons to come.

DJAKADAM (FR) ran respectably in making the frame in the race for the third time - a better jump at the second last would obviously have helped but he lost third through Native River's tenacity and stamina rather than anything else; prominent, travelled well, led 4 out, strongly pressed when mistake 2 out and headed, not quicken late on; he's made the frame in all his Grade 1 chases when he's completed, but he's won only the John Durkan twice.

SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) ran a cracker in the face of a stiff task, in contention until quite late in the day and sticking to his task; waited with, travelled well, headway 3 out, ridden straight, one paced approaching last; he's come back well after a disappointing season in 2015/16 and heads to Aintree in good heart, whether he tackles the Bowl or the Grand National, well-in in the latter, though his stamina not assured.

MORE OF THAT (IRE) ran respectably over a slightly longer trip, not beaten for lack of stamina, just not able to get in a challenge; held up, shaken up 4 out, plugged on late on, never landed a blow; he's another that holds a Grand National entry, though, unlike others, he didn't really enhance his claims for Aintree.

BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) over 2f longer trip, was reverted to being ridden prominently and, though he again failed to match his Haydock effort, he promised better than his final position suggests, going smoothly, while a serious difference of opinion with his rider at the last perhaps cost him as much as 10 lengths; chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, not quicken straight, sixth when bad mistake last.

SMAD PLACE (FR) was more patiently ridden than usual, but fared no better than he had in 2 previous attempts at the race, his form overall this season suggesting he's not quite so good as he was; mid-division, left behind after 3 out.

CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) was ultimately below form, but he shaped rather better than he had in the Ryanair 12 months earlier, as at Gowran his jumping seeming rather more assured than previously; led until second, led again seventh, headed fifteenth, weakened 3 out.

OUTLANDER (IRE) was a disappointment on his first start since the Lexus, one of the first in trouble; held up, labouring seventeenth, tailed off when hampered 3 out; he'll presumably get a chance at compensation at Punchestown.

CUE CARD departed at the same fence he had the previous season, though this time with a bit of work to do, going less well than several too; waited with, not clear run before sixteenth, pushed along 4 out, in touch when fell next; his Gold Cup chance has surely gone, perhaps a swansong at Aintree all that might be left.

TEA FOR TWO an optimistic entrant, didn't get very far; in rear, bad mistake and unseated rider second.

IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) has completely lost the plot since winning the Charlie Hall in the autumn, going with no zest at all; soon behind, not always fluent, pulled up before seventeenth.