CHELTENHAM 14:25

Non Runners: NASSALAM (FR). Fences: 22. Race Distance Adjustment: +126 yds

Time: 6m 50.6s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 61.6s (96.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 102.2%

Not the strongest race of its type, with largely exposed performers on show, but the likeable winner still showed a bit of improvement to go one better than at Cheltenham's last meeting; last year's all-the-way winner Commodore ensured it was a truly-run affair.

EVA'S OSKAR (IRE) enjoyed a clearer passage than last time and resumed winning ways in gritty fashion; chased leader, hit seventeenth (fluent otherwise), went upsides 3 out, took over next, joined when wandered briefly run-in, dug deep under pressure to hold on; he should continue to give a good account.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE) wasted no time getting back to form (not in headgear this time) and didn't do anything noticeably wrong, though the fact remains he's now without a win (including back over hurdles) since his chasing debut back in October 2018, this his eleventh placed effort during that period; patiently ridden, took closer order eighth, challenged from 2 out, stayed on fine run-in, just failed.

UNDERSUPERVISION (IRE) is undoubtedly well handicapped on his Grimthorpe Chase win, but he's proved hard to catch right so far over fences and left things all too late on this return from 8 months off, Cheltenham's undulating nature possibly not suiting him ideally; waited with, not always fluent, ridden between 4 out and 3 out, looked held leaving home turn, rallied strongly run-in to claim third close home.

CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK ran to just a similar level as on his reappearance and again wasn't quite so strong at the death as might have been expected; held up, off the bridle before most, challenged out wide from home turn until one paced run-in, lost third close home.

COMMODORE (FR) hails from a thriving yard but ultimately shaped as if the run might have been just needed after 8 months off (easy to back) and failed in his bid to repeat last year's success; made running, typically went with zest, joined 3 out, brushed aside from next.

BROKEN QUEST (IRE) was below form back up in trip away from veterans company, readily outpaced from 3 out having been patiently ridden.

SWITCH HITTER (IRE) proved easy to back and disappointed after 8 months off, the manner in which he backed out of things rather disconcerting for all that the run might have been needed; in touch, not fluent third, folded from early in straight.

DOMINATEUR (FR) has become disappointing and, if anything, ran even worse than on his recent debut for current connections; mid-division, not fluent early, behind from fifth (looking less than keen), tailed off when pulled up early final circuit.