CHELTENHAM 15:30

All 16 ran. Fences: 21.

Time: 6m 39.2s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 58.2s (100%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 102.7%

A deep field on paper for chasing's ultimate prize, with the principals from virtually every major 3m chase over the last year in the field, Frodon and arguably Tiger Roll notable exceptions, a wide-open race in prospect, yet there were far too many that failed to run to their best for it to be considered a great renewal, none of those at single-figure prices running their race, the favourite finishing lame, the King George winner failing to stay, last year's winner never going with the same zest, jumping frailties ending the chance of the winners of the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup before the race was a third over, in addition Might Bite running as if amiss and Thistlecrack let down by jumping; the race was a bit disjointed as well, seeming well run, yet all bar Yala Enki of those still going was in contention turning for home.

AL BOUM PHOTO (FR) who had missed the Irish Gold Cup due to the ground, clearly relished the increased test of stamina and ran out a decisive winner, whether he had to show much in the way of improvement debatable, given how many disappointments there were behind him, though he has been beaten just once on completed starts over fences and may have still more to offer, particularly when faced with even more of a test of stamina; in rear, not always fluent, steady headway early final circuit, close up going well eighteenth, led approaching 2 out, mistake there and shaken up, kept on well, ridden out; he's young enough to make an impact in this race for a season or 2 yet, though the RSA principals look strong candidates for next season and Presenting Percy and Kemboy ought to be more serious rivals another day, even if time has passed for some of the older runners.

ANIBALE FLY (FR) back at a more suitable trip, went one place better than last year, though without necessarily improving much, an element of picking up the pieces to his performance, which was strong on stamina; in rear, mistake second, reminders after and on and off the bridle subsequently, still plenty to do nineteenth, headway under pressure home turn, took second final 1f, stayed on strongly near finish; he ran well, given how wide he went, in last year's Grand National and will be a leading candidate for the race again next month.

BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) undoubtedly has the ability to go very close in a Gold Cup and a better round of jumping than usual enabled him to run respectably, just not so strong up the run-in as the first 2; patiently ridden, travelled well, headway eighteenth, ridden when every chance 2 out, not quicken approaching last, lost second final 1f; he's in the Grand National, set to carry top weight and not obviously well-in.

NATIVE RIVER (IRE) had such a demanding race when winning this so memorably last year that it may be it has impacted on his performances since, though a sluggish start immediately put him on the back foot and he had to expend energy working his way into a customary position, some effort to finish with running left in the circumstances, all under conditions less testing than suit ideally; raced lazily at start, went prominent fifth, led eleventh to fifteenth, led again seventeenth, headed approaching 2 out and outpaced, plugged on run-in.

CLAN DES OBEAUX (FR) was seemingly beaten for stamina after going as well as any for most of the way, certainly better than 2 of the 4 that beat him; in touch, travelled well, tracked pace early final circuit, shaken up entering straight, every chance when not fluent 2 out, weakened run-in; his King George form obviously took some knocks here, but there's every chance that he will bounce back quickly.

ELEGANT ESCAPE (IRE) had made good progress this season, but he ideally needs more of a test of stamina; chased leaders, outpaced eighteenth, in touch entering straight, mistake 2 out, weakened; he holds a Grand National entry, on the young side for that race, though the emphasis on stamina would be right up his street.

YALA ENKI (FR) is a very smart handicapper on his day, but this company proved beyond him; in touch, labouring fourteenth, tailed off when hampered approaching 2 out.

PRESENTING PERCY was sent off favourite, despite not having run over fences since winning the RSA Chase at last year's Festival, and clearly didn't run up to expectations, on his toes in the preliminaries and never going with his customary verve; held up, not always fluent, never travelling well, effort nineteenth, weakened approaching 2 out, lame, saddle also reportedly slipped; he would have beaten the winner in the RSA last year had that one completed, and he clearly has the ability to figure at this level in future, if all is well.

SHATTERED LOVE (IRE) last year's Golden Miller winner, had had a breathing operation since her poor run at Christmas, but failed to take the eye beforehand and was again well held; in rear, ridden fifteenth, some headway eighteenth, in touch entering straight, weakened, dismounted, reportedly suffered post-race ataxia; she holds a Grand National entry, but it is hard to make a case for her at present.

INVITATION ONLY (IRE) led until eighth, fell tenth, dead.

KEMBOY (FR) had his winning run ended almost before the race had begun; held up, landed very awkwardly and unseated rider first.

DEFINITLY RED (IRE) had made little impact in 4 previous Festival visits, but didn't get the chance to improve that record; prominent, brought down tenth.

BELLSHILL (IRE) had jumped well when winning in a small field at Leopardstown but, much more patiently ridden, made 3 bad errors in the first mile, his rider having little option but to call it a day; held up, bad mistake fifth, blundered seventh, eighth, pulled up.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) has only one piece of form that entitles him to a ticket to this event, no sign of him showing that level here; in touch, labouring fourteenth, pulled up before eighteenth.

MIGHT BITE (IRE) last year's runner-up, had reportedly had a breathing operation and been treated for ulcers since the King George, but some problem persists as he cut out entirely entering the straight after helping force the pace, having not jumped so well as usual; pressed leader, not always fluent, travelled well, led eighth until eleventh, led fifteenth, sixteenth, folded tamely entering straight, pulled up before 2 out; he reportedly may drop in trip, but it's hard to see that as the answer to his problems.

THISTLECRACK ran no sort of race, primarily due to his jumping letting him down; held up, jumped poorly, labouring badly approaching halfway, tailed off sixteenth, pulled up.