CHELTENHAM 13:50

All 11 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +46 yds

Time: 5m 14.2s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 57.1s (101.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 103.7%

A less-than-vintage renewal of one of Cheltenham's signature handicaps, with the first 2 from the Paddy Power among the many who failed to fire in a tactical renewal that had seen a frenetic pace over the 3 fences in the chute steady markedly once the winner had got to the front.

GEMIRANDE (FR) confirmed he's come back on song like never before as he defied a rise of 8 lb for his win at Ascot, suited by the track and very much so the way the race developed; close up, jumped well in main, raced freely, led fifth, joined when jumped right 2 out, shaken up after, asserted final 100 yds, responded well; he faces another rise in the weights but there's no reason he won't go well again.

MADARA (FR) all the rage in the market after his eye-catching run in the Paddy Power, stepped up on that effort, back in headgear and better positioned than he had been then, though he was denied by a game winner after looking as if he had the edge early on the run-in; in touch, travelled well, went second 3 out, upsides when bumped 2 out, shaken up after, edged ahead briefly run-in, not quicken inside final 100 yds; he'll continue to give a good account, the similar race here on New Year's Day an obvious next option.

FUGITIF (FR) stepped up on his reappearance, unable to repeat last season's success in this race (his mark here 1 lb lower) but running well and deserving extra credit having been asked to come from rear in a falsely-run race; patiently ridden, not fluent second, eighth, effort after 3 out, went third 2 out, no further impression.

GUARD YOUR DREAMS was asked a demanding question on just his fourth start over fences and answered it pretty well, though essentially not good enough; in touch, took keen hold, mistake tenth, tracked pace approaching 3 out, shaken up straight, one paced.

GRANDEUR D'AME (FR) fourth in this last winter, was below form after 2 months off, early mistakes meaning he wasn't able to hold a prominent position after he'd jumped off with the leaders; close up when mistakes first and second, in touch after, tracked pace approaching 3 out, shaken up straight, no extra before last.

IL RIDOTO (FR) proved vulnerable above all following an 8 lb rise for his win in the Paddy Power; prominent, shaken up before 4 out, weakened before straight.

STAGE STAR (IRE) hasn't returned at the top of his game and he failed to build on his reappearance, his finishing effort lacking; led until fifth, remained prominent, not fluent eighth and 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened straight.

SURE TOUCH had been given a breathing operation since his run in the Grand Sefton but was below form, never looking likely to land a blow; in rear, mistake tenth, labouring soon after.

GA LAW (FR) produced a rare flat effort, like his conqueror in the November version Il Ridoto not advertising that form so well as a couple of the also-rans who were back for more; held up, pushed along thirteenth, brief headway home turn, weakened 2 out.

LE PATRON (FR) was disappointing, having made such a bright start to his second season over fences, his previous appearance at this track having also gone with a whimper; waited with, pushed along ninth, ridden after 3 out, weakened.

IN EXCELSIS DEO (FR) managed to win here at the April meeting, but his jumping generally isn't really good enough for these demanding fences and he finished well held; off pace, jumped none too fluently, mistake second, hit eleventh, labouring after.