CHELTENHAM 14:20

All 14 ran. Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +48 yds

Time: 5m 14.2s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 59.1s (97.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 104%

A positive trade-off in this year's Paddy Power as a second successive season of only 14 turning up was more than salved by a big upturn in quality that saw a handful rated in excess of 150 take part, topped by The Real Whacker, one of 2 Grade 1 winning novices in the field and the highest-rated runner to take part since 2010; in event, it was the class of one of that group that shone through as Stage Star posted one of the biggest handicap performances in recent years in overcoming a late scare to see off the rival who'd also given him most to think about in the 'Golden Miller' here back in March.

STAGE STAR (IRE) erased the memory of his Aintree blowout right away returned to the scene of his finest hour in an otherwise hard-to-fault novice season, making an immediate step up switching to open company for the first time in dominating traditionally one of the strongest handicaps of the season, able to beat the runner-up further than he had off levels in the Turners, all despite a last-fence error that would have derailed many an inferior; his jumping was superb otherwise under a trademark positive ride, leading outright at the ninth, soon taking full command when asked entering the straight and 5 lengths to the good when getting the last wrong and slithering on landing, somehow picking up again well enough to pass the line only a length fewer to the good; he was shortened to a general 5/1 for the Ryanair in the aftermath and it's hard to dispute such a positive view, given not only his overall progress and effectiveness on both Cheltenham tracks but also the merely workmanlike belated return from division-standout Allaho in the preceding days; as an aside, he's yet another nod to the consistent strength of the Timeform-sponsored novice handicap on Trials' Day, a race he landed from a mark fully 13 lb lower directly prior to his Festival win.

NOTLONGTILLMAY showed the benefit of his comeback, beaten further by Stage Star than when they'd met off level weights at the Festival but still posting a personal best in defeat in beating all the others, emerging as the only threat as he moved up to give chase approaching the straight but not good enough to take advantage of the winner's last-fence blunder; he's yet another in recent weeks to highlight his stable's rejuvenation.

IL RIDOTO (FR) added to his sound record in the big middle-distance handicap chases at this track, a pair of second-season rivals just progressing to a level he couldn't match for all he's a year their junior; mid-division, not settle fully, took closer order back straight, ridden when baulked approaching straight, took third flat, no match for principals; he still hasn't raced around 2m since his novice days but has often looked worth the switch.

FUGITIF (FR) shaped as if as good as ever in first-time cheekpieces after 7 months off, a little too lit up to deliver the challenge he threatened for a long way; tracked pace, loomed up soon after 3 out, third when mistake next, no extra flat; he'd gone much closer in this race last year but was 22 lb higher in the weights this time around having got stronger almost throughout the remainder of that campaign.

UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR) failed to take the same step forward from Chepstow as Knappers Hill but may yet land a good handicap back in distance, essentially leaving the impression the test was too much in a race of this quality; chased leaders, yet to be asked for effort when short of room after 3 out, ridden home turn, weakened.

EASY AS THAT (IRE) shaped as if retaining all his ability after 8 months off but may need different circumstances to prove the point, doing his best work late on having made it clear early on this was a shock to the system; raced off the pace, went with little fluency, behind still 3 out, merely closed up late; he's the sort of horse who'll run to a big figure one day dominating a smaller field in the mud.

ANGELS BREATH (IRE) will turn double-figures in a matter of weeks but training problems have robbed him of big-field experience over fences, which very much shone through thrust into a hot handicap; mid-division, lost place when not fluent ninth, effort when clouted 4 out, no chance after.

WHISTLEINTHEDARK (IRE) was found out at the first attempt in this sort of company after 7 months off, having compiled his 4-4 record over fences as a novice in calmer waters; patiently ridden, shaken up after 5 out, all but came down next, no chance after.

FINAL ORDERS was tried in a tongue strap but ran even worse; in rear, well off pace 3 out.

HARPER'S BROOK (IRE) wasn't good enough in a handicap at this level (2 lb out of weights) to get into a position to throw away a winning chance, potential lack of fitness not solely to blame after 7 months off; patiently ridden, pushed along before 3 out, made no impression.

TORN AND FRAYED (FR) shaped as if retaining ability asked a big question returning from 22 months off in a race of this standard, though he wouldn't want turning out quickly the way his race ended; in touch, slow first, settled in touch, lost place before 4 out and unable to get any closer - 5 lengths behind Unexpected Party - when fell 2 out.

BLACK GERRY (IRE) never looked like extending his winning run to 3 returning in a more demanding environment, soon behind and staying there.

AUTHORIZED ART (FR) one of the most exposed, ran poorly all the same after 8 weeks off (lost shoe); held up, pushed along from eleventh, tailed off before 3 out.

THE REAL WHACKER (IRE) couldn't have suffered a much more contrasting fate than the other 2023 Cheltenham Festival novice winner in the field, physical issues his main undoing; disputed lead until ninth, pressed leader after, faltered between 4 out and 3 out (struck into and lame on right-fore).