CHELTENHAM 12:10

All 11 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +76 yds

Time: 5m 16s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 57.3s (101.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 100.3%

A novice handicap with a rich history, every chance this renewal will prove a strong piece of form, the majority looking open to improvement beforehand and the first 3 home all entered in Grade 1 novices at the Festival, the winner likely to hold his own at the highest level; the pace was sound, giving the form an even more solid look.

STAGE STAR (IRE) can look right out of the top drawer when he's on song and he very much was here, his performance under top weight in easily the most competitive race he's faced over fences good enough on paper to put him right in contention in graded novices in the spring, though taking on the best at levels will present more of a challenge; disputed lead, jumped well, travelled well, pressed on 3 out, in command last, impressive.

DATSALRIGHTGINO (GER) ran a cracker, beating the rest convincingly, this just his second try much beyond 2m and looking well served by it, entered in both the Arkle and Golden Miller but the Plate surely the obvious race for him at the Festival; soon steadied, went prominent 3 out, shaken up straight, close up when not fluent 2 out, held when untidy last, kept on run-in.

UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR) in first-time tongue strap, faced a stiffer task in this grade and acquitted himself well, seeing things out better than last time, just lacking the pace to land a blow, enough in his 4 runs over fences so far to think he'll be winning before much longer; held up, travelled well, steady headway 3 out, shaken up straight, one paced after 2 out.

PANIC ATTACK (IRE) found the fences a bit of a challenge, which led to her getting well back, but it's to her credit that she stuck to her task so well in the closing stages that she ended up running close to form, another race in her over fences, probably back over further on a less demanding track; handy, jumped none too fluently, lost place back straight, well held 3 out, rallied next, stayed on.

LLANDINABO LAD probably remains in form, just not proving so well suited by the return to further as had been expected, looking likely to be placed turning for home but not seeing the race out nearly so well as a few others; tracked pace early, settled in touch after third, close up again twelfth, every chance after 3 out, weakened before last.

MALINELLO failed to meet expectations though did have a change of tactics and is crying out for more emphasis on stamina, still early days with him over fences, his entries at the Festival in the Broadway and the NH Chase an indication of where he'll be going in terms of distance, even if he's not up that level; held up, not fluent fourth, headway twelfth, left behind after 3 out.

DALAMOI (IRE) ended up running poorly, in contention for a long way but not seeing things out, no obvious reason for that coming to light on the day; close up, every chance 3 out, weakened early in straight.

ANY NEWS (IRE) was well beaten and has a fair bit to prove at the moment; held up, took keen hold, pushed along twelfth, left behind after 3 out.

IAMASTAR (FR) didn't get far enough to show if he was in better form than at Ascot; patiently ridden, took keen hold, mistake sixth, unseated rider tenth.

FIRE DANCER (FR) disappointed up quite appreciably in grade, this second run back after a very long absence a possible explanation; led or disputed lead, mistake 4 out, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up straight.

FERN HILL (IRE) was in another race he found too competitive, even if a shorter trip and more patient tactics weren't in his favour; held up, labouring twelfth, tailed off before 3 out.