CHELTENHAM 13:30

Non Runners: GOLD DANCER (FR). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 4m 13.8s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 61.4s (103.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 98.5%

Significant overnight rain meant the first day of the Festival started on unusually testing ground, which certainly had an impact on the way this race was run, the field still well grouped 2 out, potentially one or 2 of the longer-priced runners flattered by the way it unfolded; the race had quite an open look to it beforehand, with the leading novice of the season Ballyburn instead going for the Baring Bingham, his form franked by the winner who'd been runner-up to him in the Brave Inca, the race totally dominated by Irish stables, the British managing just 3 runners, the form probably a bit below standard for the race, only Summerville Boy obviously inferior among the winners in the last decade.

SLADE STEEL (IRE) held leading claims in the absence of Ballyburn and progressed again, doing well to recover from fluffing the last, though in a better position than most the way the race developed; close up, took keen hold, led early in straight, shaken up soon after, untidy last and headed, rallied well, led again final 100 yds, driven clear; open to further improvement.

MYSTICAL POWER (IRE) progressed again in first-time hood, not having such a good run through as the winner but getting to the front late on only to be done by a stronger stayer; held up, short of room 2 out, headway straight, chased leaders approaching last, jumped on there, headed final 100 yds, outstayed; an athletic sort, the type go on improving.

FIREFOX (IRE) showed improved form this time, even though he wasn't seen to best advantage, sure to have got closer still in a more truly-run race and with more luck in running; held up, smooth headway 3 out, shaken up straight and short of room, not quicken, kept on run-in; very much a chaser on looks, he seems sure to go on to better things.

ASIAN MASTER (IRE) ran well, though he left the impression he had an even better effort in him, his regular amateur rider unable to claim and rather caught out when the race developed into the straight; in touch, headway approaching 3 out, loomed up after next, not quicken before last, stayed on run-in; he has the build of a chaser for next season.

MISTERGIF (FR) ran well upped in grade, though couldn't sustain the effort having got himself into a place soon after the last; held up, effort 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, no extra run-in; he has more about him than might be expected from his pedigree and he could well make at least as good a novice over fences next season.

FAVOUR AND FORTUNE (IRE) emerged best of the paltry home team, running as well as he has, that he ran a race at all quite surprising given he nearly lost his rider at the first; held up, bad mistake first, not fluent fourth, pushed along 3 out, some headway approaching last, one paced.

SUPERSUNDAE (FR) on first outing since leaving Anne-Sophie Pacault after 11 months off, seemed to improve plenty on his 2 efforts in France, that his stable saw fit to run him in this reason enough to give him credit for now; held up, ridden when mistake 2 out, kept on run-in, never on terms.

TULLYHILL (FR) looked the pick of his stable's 5 runners but failed to meet expectations, his finish to the race rather tame; led, took keen hold, headed third, led again 3 out, shaken up straight and headed, weakening when mistake last; despite this reverse, he's a smart prospect for novice chasing next season.

KINGS HILL (IRE) seemed to excel himself up considerably in grade but did beat only one home; in touch, tracked pace 2 out, left behind quickly home turn.

TELLHERTHENAME (IRE) had plenty on in this grade; disputed lead, went on third, headed early in straight, weakened approaching last; he ought to make a useful novice chaser next winter.

JERIKO DU REPONET (FR) ran no sort of race, the first of several poor efforts from his stable's runners on the afternoon, something likely to be not right, his overall profile suggesting he's best forgiven this run; in touch, mistake first, not fluent third, pushed along after fifth, weakened 2 out, pulled up last.