CHELTENHAM 14:15

Non Runners: FIDUX (FR). Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +66 yds

Time: 5m 15.4s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 61s (94.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 125%, Betfair SP 98.8%

Potentially a cracking renewal of one of the most prestigious handicaps of the whole jumps season, back under the Paddy Power banner after a 4-year hiatus, with a handful of second-season chasers in the field of the type that used to win this race on a regular basis, though not since Al Ferof in 2012 had a handicap debutant over fences landed the prize, he one of 5 such to land the race from 2000, all subsequently top class, that Coole Cody followed suit all to his credit, though this race was about qualities other than class and limitless potential, rain-softened ground and a good gallop bringing fitness, jumping, resolution and stamina to the fore, the winner besting all his rivals on at least one of those scores, 3 runs already under his belt this season, none of the others seen more than once and 10 not seen at all since the resumption perhaps the most significant, though the runner-up and Sky Pirate were a good pair to have chasing him up the hill, tactics also on his side, the winner making virtually all, not coincidentally the fourth victor from 6 chases at the fixture to make the running, Gumball almost certain to have been another but for falling.

COOLE CODY (IRE) looked on quite a generous opening mark on his form in novices this season and probably didn't have to improve much to land this valuable prize, winning in similar fashion to in a handicap hurdle at the fixture in 2017, making the most of fitness, stamina and jumping, showing a willing attitude to see off his main challengers in the straight, especially after what had happened at an early stage; pressed leader, jumped well in main (though did slither quite badly on landing at the fourth), went on third, clear soon after, reduced advantage after 4 out, mistake next, kicked on after, tackled straight, kept on well run-in, gave all; a return here for the December Gold Cup would seem the obvious option, races here in January too that would potentially reward a similar ride, the option of returning to further there as well.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE) normally runs well here and performed up to his best after 8 months off, though he's won just the first of now 13 starts in handicaps over hurdles and fences and he never really looked likely to go past the winner after the last; held up, mistake fifth, steady headway before 4 out, every chance 2 out, untidy last, wandered run-in, one paced.

AL DANCER (FR) with the benefit of a run this autumn, was strong in the betting on handicap debut and ran as well as he ever has over fences, taking to the demands of the race well and sticking to his task after he'd looked comfortably held; in touch, travelled well, good progress before tenth, every chance 3 out, ridden before straight, lost place after, kept on run-in; he's entered in the King George, for which he would need to find quite a bit of improvement to be competitive, but he'd certainly be worth trying at 3m at some stage.

KAUTO RIKO (FR) had had a breathing operation since last seen, back at the Festival, and ran up to his best, faring much better than he had in 2 editions of the Plate, though getting going too late to land a blow; in rear, mistake fifth, ridden after, behind when mistake 3 out, stayed on strongly straight, nearest at the finish.

SKY PIRATE ran well, but predictably didn't get up the hill after cruising along, a late error almost certainly not a material factor in the outcome; held up, typically travelled well, good progress 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, folded late on; he'll continue to frustrate.

SIMPLY THE BETTS (IRE) had an excellent first season over fences, ending with a win in the Plate at the Festival, some strong form to his name, but he couldn't continue that on his return, perhaps needing the run more than anticipated under gruelling conditions; led until third, remained prominent, mistake tenth, weakened before 4 out; there's time yet for him to progress this winter.

ASO (FR) was off the same mark as for his last (successful) run in a handicap, but he'd not shown that form in graded company last season and didn't here either after 8 months off, a bit old for a race as competitive as this, no runner 10-y-o+ having made the frame since 2003; handy, ridden 4 out, lost place soon after, tailed off after next, plugged on; he holds entries in the Becher and Grand Sefton which may offer a hint as to plans for this season.

SAINT SONNET (FR) had looked a likely sort for this race when seventh in the Golden Miller, but he was having only his fourth start over fences here, only his second in Britain, and lack of experience seemed his undoing, his jumping not holding up under pressure after he'd gone through the race as if on a competitive mark; prominent, travelled well, disputed second 4 out, close up when mistake next, soon done with, mistake 2 out, fell last; he may take a while to get over the experience, but he remains with potential as a chaser.

HAPPY DIVA (IRE) more exposed than most but reliable and with a race under her belt, was off a mark 8 lb higher than when successful last season, but she'd have made the frame at least had she completed, alongside the eventual third and likely to have stayed on at least as well; chased leaders, went with zest, effort after 3 out, keeping on when fell 2 out.

SIRUH DU LAC (FR) who'd had a breathing operation, is normally a really good jumper, but he was big and unbalanced at the first, a brief first outing since leaving Nick Williams after 8 months off.

THE RUSSIAN DOYEN (IRE) having only his second start over fences since running creditably in the novice handicap at the 2019 Festival, proved a disappointment, going backwards from reappearance, his jumping not holding up and quickly in trouble off the bridle; prominent, made mistakes, travelled well, shaken up before 3 out, soon done with, pulled up straight.

PINSON DU RHEU (FR) formerly with Yannick Fouin, was useful in his younger days, but he's a bit long in the tooth to adapt to British-style fences and didn't take to the task at all at the first attempt, after 6 months off; in rear, jumped poorly, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out.

BRELAN D'AS (FR) had had a prep before finishing second in last season's renewal and perhaps he needed the run this time around, off 11 months, easy to back and never looking likely to get involved; held up, mistake 4 out, labouring soon after, pulled up.

DOMAINE DE L'ISLE (FR) back over fences, faced his most searching test yet and never really looked likely to get involved, a bit to prove at the moment; raced off the pace, shaken up ninth, behind when mistake 4 out, pulled up.

SLATE HOUSE (IRE) would have gone very close in last season's running, but for falling 2 out, and went on to win the Kauto Star, but he ended the season out of sorts and didn't offer much on his return, even if this was a pipe-opener for a return to 3m+ (entered in the Ladbrokes Trophy and King George); in touch, not fluent twelfth, labouring after, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out.

MISTER FISHER (IRE) had shown a smart level of form in just 4 starts over fences as a novice and held leading claims switched to a handicap, but he didn't run much of a race at all, connections inclined to blame the deteriorating ground, though he has plenty of form on soft; waited with, effort briefly 4 out, labouring soon after, pulled up straight; he's best judged on his form last season, whatever the reason for his poor showing this time.