CHELTENHAM 14:05

All 6 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +57 yds

Time: 5m 26.5s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 62.4s (96.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 108%, Betfair SP 101.6%

A field less than half the size of what might reasonably been expected for the third high-level middle-distance handicap chase of Cheltenham's season and, whilst Shakem Up'Arry had sent quite the signal he was ready to better last year's fifth in this in making such an encouraging return, it's hard to escape the conclusion it rather fell apart in his wake, with Paddy Power winner Stage Star - who was keeping the winner and 2 others out of the weights from a BHA mark of 166 - the headline flop.

SHAKEM UP'ARRY (IRE) confirmed impressions from the old Hennessy that he's come back better than ever, improving a strike-rate that has featured a good few defeats when things hadn't been so much in his favour as they were here, doing everything right back at the right sort of trip in a smaller field; waited with, jumped superbly, smooth headway before 3 out, held onto as he stalked leader before produced to lead between last 2, clear when hung right final 1f; he's likely to give another good account in the Plate at the Festival (third in 2023).

FRERO BANBOU (FR) is running consistently well but ultimately in a losing cause each time, unable to resist a patiently-handled winner on this occasion who wasn't quite so far out of the weights; soon led, jumped/travelled fluently, quickened entering straight, collared after 2 out, rallied until last, no extra final 1f.

AL DANCER (FR) hasn't gone on from his reappearance rout, neither a 9-week break nor the refitting of cheekpieces rekindling him, even the presence of a good-value conditional not enough to see him get closer; in touch, shaken up before 3 out, outpaced before straight.

RICHMOND LAKE (IRE) had his winning run ended venturing south, having been done few favours by the handicapper up another 8 lb for landing an Aintree race in which nothing else had given its running on truly awful ground; held up, jumped sketchily, pushed along between 4 out and 3 out, dropped away approaching straight.

TORN AND FRAYED (FR) ran poorly asked to go again in one of these (8 lb out of handicap this time) for the third time in as many Cheltenham meetings, off a long time before his reappearance after all; not jump well in last, struggling from 5 out.

STAGE STAR (IRE) has developed into a top-class chaser but not without the odd bump in the road en route, his dominant display in making light of a late blunder from a lofty mark itself in the Paddy Power (when not harried for lead so much) a far better guide to him than this off-colour performance 7 weeks on; led until second, not fluent twelfth, thirteenth, beaten when hung left straight; he's the type to bounce back at the Festival.