CHELTENHAM 14:00

All 16 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +95 yds

Time: 5m 24.1s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 61.1s (96.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 99.7%

A handful of these had contested one or both of the Paddy Power and Racing Post Gold Cups but it was a mare stepping up from a rout against her own sex elsewhere at the latter meeting who came from the rear in a predictably well-run race to pick off the best of those returning for another crack here, the pair coming well clear as many of the others failed to run their race.

VIENNA COURT (IRE) has gone from looking a middle-of-the-road mare to one of the biggest improvers on the British handicap chase scene, making it 2 Cheltenham wins on the bounce after drawing a blank on her first 7 starts over fences, doing this in a fashion not often seen in top handicaps over this C&D despite stepping out of mares company from 12 lb higher, sustaining her run after cutting through from rear; dropped out, headway on bridle out wide 5 out, going well when produced to lead 2 out, jumped right last, in command final 50 yds; she's still a novice, meaning options will remain plentiful, no forlorn hope in the Mrs Paddy Power back here in the spring for all the likes of Mount Ida and Elimay ran to higher figures at Fairyhouse later in the day.

SIMPLY THE BETTS (IRE) took only 3 runs to produce a personal best for his top stable (whose first-choice jockey was aboard for the first time), deserving credit for fighting as hard as he did after the thriving winner had threatened to sweep right past, a high-class effort from his lofty mark; led briefly first, pressed leader after, disputed lead eleventh, lost ground briefly 4 out, led again next, headed 2 out, stuck to task well back at this shorter trip, coming well clear of the remainder; he's sure to be of interest again.

ALNADAM (FR) stepped up as expected on his windmill-tilting comeback run and might have still been somewhat rusty, a return to the pick of his novice form possibly on the cards next time; tracked pace, went in snatches, lost ground briefly fourth, close up when ridden from 3 out, not quicken straight but able to take third from exhausted Magic Saint on line.

MAGIC SAINT (FR) took a step back in the right direction - until the test of stamina back up in trip found him out - in first-time cheekpieces after 7 weeks off; patiently ridden, steady headway 5 out, effort 2 out, clear third run-in but tied up and run out of third on line; he's slipped to his lowest mark since winning at Newbury in November 2019.

DEYRANN DE CARJAC (FR) failed to build on the promise of his run in the December version, running his race in reverse to normal; raced in mid-division instead of rear, lost ground gradually back straight, behind 3 out, kept on again late on.

GALAHAD QUEST (FR) is proving a tad frustrating, not held back by a jumping error this time but failing to see things out fully, this perhaps as much as a test as suits; mid-division, reminders soon after 5 out, in contention again end of back straight, weakening when pecked last; in his defence, he's spent most of his season running from the foot of the weights in high-calibre handicaps when he's eligible for a 0-135.

JANIKA (FR) refitted with a tongue tie on the back of a second breathing operation, ran better than he had on his return another 12 weeks off but didn't shape well enough to make him of interest from a mark still in the 150s; mid-field, lost ground third, shaken up between 4 out and 3 out, made little impression.

COOLE CODY (IRE) possibly found this a race too much, even for a veteran as hardy as he is, not holding the lead for anything as long as usual; soon led, headed eleventh, remained prominent until 3 out, ridden soon after, no response.

FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (FR) is far better judged on his strong-travelling second in the Peterborough Chase, the move up in trip rather than down rather predictably against him, shaping much better than the bare result (also took route around the houses); patiently ridden, took closer order out wide fourth, disputed fourth 2 out, weakened; well worth another chance back around 2m.

A TOI PHIL (FR) was given a considerate return from his latest lengthy absence (12 months), no threat but not unduly punished; perhaps veterans' handicaps are the plan.

ESPOIR DE TEILLEE (FR) was found out in better company; dropped out, behind still 4 out, ridden when out wide next, made no impression.

RIDERS ONTHE STORM (IRE) did plenty to encourage again only to undo the positives with a finishing effort that hardly suggested his problems are a thing of the past, ultimately recoiling from his slog of a return; handy, went with zest, upsides eleventh, jumped on 4 out, headway when not fluent next, ridden home turn, stopped quickly.

HIGH UP IN THE AIR (FR) is best excused this return, not showing much but, more significantly, ridden far more patiently than usual (also well below par on reappearance last season); off pace, blundered fifth, lost touch 4 out; next run should reveal more.

ADMIRAL BARRATRY (FR) made little appeal up 7 lb away from Fakenham and duly struggled; settled mid-field out wide, lost ground briefly circuit out, lost place when not fluent 5 out, beaten quickly.

KAUTO RIKO (FR) went backwards from his reappearance in first-time cheekpieces; ridden more prominently, settled mid-field, ridden after 4 out, labouring quickly.

ZANZA (IRE) found his run of good form coming to a halt, his jumping/attitude made worse if anything by an attempt to ride him closer to the pace; in touch when slow first, second, never going well after, behind when blundered eighth, bad mistake again water jump, pulled up sharply; he's one to treat with caution.