CHELTENHAM 13:50

All 10 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +103 yds

Time: 5m 34.9s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 62.2s (98.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 100.3%

Mostly the same sort of faces as in so many of the top intermediate-distance handicaps run so far this season, and there was little ground covering a trio who very much conformed to that narrative at the end of a well-run race, hard to view the form as strong given the exposed profiles of the group.

CEPAGE (FR) got back on track following a longer break, finally making a breakthrough at this track after some gallant frame finishes, not much improvement required to gain revenge on a pair of old rivals; disputed lead from first, pressed on back straight, threatened from 3 out, kept on gamely; any rise towards 160 would seem harsh, and he isn't a likely Ryanair candidate, either, despite the suitability of the course.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE) refitted with cheekpieces, ran at least as well as in the December Gold Cup 6 weeks on despite failing to uphold form with Cepage, only just denied again, not getting to the front this time but still giving the impression he was the best horse at the weights, having to do plenty of running to make up the deficit caused by a trio of errors; waited with, jumped sketchily, still plenty to do 3 out, crept closer straight, effort after last, ran on; clearly back in the zone now, he'll likely give another good account at the Festival.

LALOR (GER) coudn't confirm recent superiority over Cepage but still ran another sound race, finally back on the right path whether linked to the longer trip or not; tracked pace, pressed leader from 4 out, driven approaching straight, kept on, held only late on.

GARDE LA VICTOIRE (FR) proved he retains much of his ability, all the fitter with Ascot behind him and looking an even bigger player for so much of the way, a demanding 2½m just taxing him; in touch, not always fluent, travelled fluently, effort approaching 2 out, every chance still last, tied up only late on; he now has to show he's sufficiently robust to back up after a hard race, however.

MILITARIAN is no more than averagely treated now, though he again did enough to confirm his ongoing well-being, despite reportedly suffering a breathing problem; held up, jumped better than last time, shaken up from 4 out, effort approaching straight, one paced.

MY WAY (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade (1 lb out of weights), notwithstanding he'd got in and among some less-exposed novices at Ascot; in touch, ridden from 3 out, left behind gradually.

COOL MIX was found out in better company down South, still only 1 small-field novice success to show for his time over fences; waited with, mistakes tenth, eleventh, took closer order out wide 3 out, ridden before straight, effort flattened out.

WARTHOG (FR) had played the Cepage role (by denying Spiritofthegames) here last month but, sadly, broke a leg soon after landing in the lead at the first.

HIGHWAY ONE O ONE (IRE) was expected to benefit from the shorter trip but clearly wasn't 100% on the day; disputed lead from first, lost place when slow 5 out, folded as if amiss.

COUNT MERIBEL ran far worse after 10 weeks off (allowed to take his chance after being kicked at the start); held up, lost ground early final circuit, behind when mistake eighth, pulled up twelfth, presumably amiss.