CHELTENHAM 13:15

Non Runners: RED ROOKIE. Fences: 13. Race Distance Adjustment: +44 yds

Time: 4m 1.5s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 56.9s (98.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 97.6%

A good-quality handicap chase, competitive on paper, though not many got involved, the winner and the favourite, who might even have beaten him had he jumped the last, setting a good gallop and having most in trouble a good way out, the second and third both coming from a fair way back.

DANCING ON MY OWN (IRE) off 5 months (had missed an outing last month due to coughing), is building a good record in handicap chases in Britain and added this valuable prize to a second and first in the last 2 runnings of the Red Rum, though the race was still in the balance when the favourite went at the last; led until fourth, tracked pace after, pushed along 3 out, every chance when left in front last, ridden out; he shouldn't go up much for this and would likely be competitive again if returning for the valuable 2m handicap at the next meeting here.

TRIPLE TRADE ran well after 6 months off, doing his best work late on after getting rather run off his feet in a well-run race back over a bare 2m; soon steadied, labouring ninth, headway after 3 out, kept on well straight, took second late on; he's still on the upgrade and may well have more to offer, particularly back over further.

IN EXCELSIS DEO (FR) ran creditably after 7 months off, suited by a well-run race and doing his best work at the finish, this a sound platform on which to build for a young horse that still has potential after losing his way a little bit last season; off pace, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on well run-in, took third near finish.

NOTLONGTILLMAY last seen finishing second in the Golden Miller, ran another good race after 8 months off, his mark 18 lb higher than when winning a handicap at Musselburgh on his penultimate outing; prominent, not fluent ninth, pushed along after, not quicken 3 out, rallied last, one paced late on.

GUY (IRE) ran creditably in a much more competitive race than he'd won last time, if anything a shade better than the result, more involved in the race than most; prominent, mistake first, pushed along after 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, left second and mistake last, no extra final 100 yds.

THE DASHER CONWAY (IRE) was below form, ending a run of good efforts, perhaps just found out by the grade; waited with, blundered eighth, left behind 3 out.

PRINCE ESCALUS (IRE) hard to fancy after a below-par return, was again below form; chased leaders, shaken up before 3 out, lost place soon after.

ROYALE MARGAUX (FR) backed at long odds, was well held after 6 months off, never threatening; held up, not fluent 4 out, left behind next.

BEFORE MIDNIGHT the winner in 2021, has slipped below the mark he scored off then but was well held on his second outing for a new yard; held up, mistake fifth, labouring 4 out.

HADDEX DES OBEAUX (FR) well backed after 10 months off, made an encouraging return despite having nothing to show for it, his effort suggesting he is probably still ahead of the handicapper (though can be reassessed for this), a close finish between him and the winner looking in prospect when he got the last wrong; pressed leader, went with zest, went on fourth, mistake eighth, shaken up straight, joined when fell last; he's essentially a good jumper, which ought to stand him in good stead most times, and he has yet more to offer.

MADARA (FR) only a 4-y-o, had been claimed from Yannick Fouin for €25,555 at Auteuil last time and was shaping encouragingly for new connections when he came down, looking as if he would make the frame at the time; held up, travelled well, headway into fourth when unseated rider 3 out.