CHELTENHAM 14:00

All 12 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +95 yds

Time: 5m 30.8s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 59.9s (100.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 101.2%

Plenty of interesting lines of form were brought into this Grade 3 handicap, not as intertwined as is often the case in these Cheltenham races, and for all the first 3 could hardly be separated, it's hard to think the result is anything but strong, that trio - containing a last-time-out handicap winner and a pair of graded scorers back to their best - hunted up by an Irish raider very much unexposed in handicaps and a former Festival winner who has a superb record at this course.

OLDGRANGEWOOD followed up from last time, again by a nose, though no question of being flattered this time, indeed value for extra if anything having briefly looked like he'd thrown it away late on; mid-field, jumped accurately, chased leaders 4 out, produced to lead between last 2, idled final 100 yds, joined and even narrowly headed, edged ahead again on line; this proves he acts around Cheltenham after all and, in a rich vein of form, he'll presumably be back for the equivalent race at the end of the month.

SAINT CALVADOS (FR) stayed the longer trip well, at least matching the pick of his form over shorter, and this looks a stronger piece of form than his reappearance win; mid-field, took keen hold, not fluent eleventh, in contention entering straight, edged left run-in, every chance final 100 yds (probably even nosed ahead briefly), edged out on line; this clearly opens up more options for him, including back at graded level.

LALOR (GER) after 8 weeks off and in first-time cheekpieces, proved at least as good as ever under a change of rider and tactics over this 4f longer trip, his jumping benefiting for one, seeing the longer trip out thoroughly; led, jumped well, pressed on approaching straight, headed between last 2 (possibly idling slightly), carried left run-in, rallied, every chance again close home, just failed in 3-way photo; he looked to enjoy front-running and can make amends in something similar this season.

EX PATRIOT (IRE) after 6 weeks off, caught the eye having his first sighter of Cheltenham's fences and will be high on the shortlist if returning for the Plate at the Festival; tracked pace, travelled better than most, went prominent 3 out, lost momentum when not fluent next, mistake last, kept on but couldn't recover.

MISTER WHITAKER (IRE) caught the eye after 9 months off, given a rather considerate return and clearly retaining all his ability; patiently ridden, not fluent first, crept closer 5 out, in contention entering straight, not fluent 2 out, not quicken briefly, stayed on again gradually flat; he looks well worth another try at around 3m.

CEPAGE (FR) wasn't at his best for once, a third run within 8 weeks for one who hasn't stood much racing over the past couple of seasons perhaps to blame; pressed leader, not fluent 4 out, lost place approaching next, not fluent again there, one paced.

MAGIC SAINT (FR) shaped much better than the bare result, not seeing things out to an even greater extent than in the Bet Victor but not before he'd looked ahead of his new mark for a long way; waited with, jumped superbly, travelled well, went handy tenth, yet to be asked for effort when close up 3 out, shaken up approaching home turn, found little from 2 out; he'd beaten subsequent Desert Orchid winner Bun Doran (in receipt of 3 lb) at Newbury and, still a young horse, he's got more to offer back down in trip, not far off making the jump to graded class himself.

KALASHNIKOV (IRE) had shaped much better than the winner when claimed right at the death by that one at Newbury but proved to be a disappointment this time, producing an uncharacteriscally slovenly round of jumping, subsequently said to have bled; chased leaders early, lost place when clouted third, blundered fifth, not fluent 5 out, pecked 3 out, lost touch quickly.

OK CORRAL (IRE) tackling shorter than previously over fences, shaped more encouragingly for a long way than this second tailed-off finish this season might suggest, his jumping - which had been good - rather going to pieces in the final mile; soon handy, mistake twelfth and lost momentum when canoning into the back of Cepage, lost further ground next, left behind gradually (also not fluent 2 out).

POKER PLAY (FR) after 7 weeks off, can have a line put through this run, inconvenienced by the standing start and effectively having his race ended with a bad error; in rear (usually ridden far more prominently), clouted eleventh, no chance after, behind when jumped left 3 out.

BALLYHILL (FR) winner of this in 2018 and placed in it last year, was easy to back and ran badly after 7 weeks off, very much struggling for form at present; in touch, lost ground eleventh, labouring 5 out, pulled up 3 out.

OUTLANDER (IRE) was unsuited by the drop in trip, but is starting to look a shadow of his former self in any case, acknowledging he's yet to wear headgear for current connections; held up, untidy sixth, not fluent back straight, lost touch 4 out.