CHELTENHAM 15:30

Non Runners: KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (IRE), CELTIC DINO (FR). Hurdles: 8. Race Distance Adjustment: +42 yds

Time: 4m 1.5s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 62s (96.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 134%, Betfair SP 102.3%

The Greatwood tends to be just a useful handicap these days, the shortage of decent 2m hurdlers having an impact, and this didn't prove a particularly competitive renewal either, half the field having their first start since the spring, the winner, by contrast, already with 2 good efforts under his belt this autumn, his fitness edge over the runner-up enabling him to pull right away after the last;

ALEXEI (GER) is thriving on racing and made light of a 7 lb rise for his win at Ascot, strong at the finish after a close battle with the runner-up had seemed likely; waited with, travelled well, tracked pace after 3 out, led soon after last, in command soon after, kept on well, well on top finish; connections could be temped by a tilt at something better now.

HELNWEIN (IRE) after 6 months off, took second in a big handicap for the second start running, running at least as well as ever; held up, travelled well, good progress fifth, led after 2 out, shaken up straight, headed soon after last, no match for winner.

FAIVOIR (FR) had evidently come on plenty for his return and shaped as if retaining most of his ability, still bang there turning in; handy, close up 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, every chance early in straight, no extra run-in.

WELSH CHARGER (IRE) after 6 months off, fared a lot better than in the Swinton in the spring, seeing things out much better; led until fourth, remained prominent, shaken up 2 out, outpaced soon after, kept on run-in.

FIERCELY PROUD (IRE) hadn't made an impact in good handicaps on his previous 2 starts but shaped much more encouragingly on his first outing in 8 months; prominent, shaken up after 3 out, outpaced 2 out, hung left straight.

PUTAPOUNDINTHEJAR (IRE) isn't obviously well handicapped and ran respectably whilst posing little threat; held up, not fluent 3 out, effort after, chased leaders early in straight, effort flattened out.

DEDICATED HERO (IRE) failed to build on the promise of last run, the drop back to 2m not looking in his favour; held up, labouring before 3 out, stayed on straight, never on terms.

MIRABAD (FR) was prominent in the market on his first outing since leaving the Newland/Insole yard, given a breathing operation and in first-time tongue strap after 9 months off, but he didn't see things out after rather overracing; in touch, took keen hold, headway third, led fourth, headed after 2 out, weakened last.

IBERICO LORD (FR) successful in this in 2023, was below form after 7 months off, seeming rusty and spared a hard race; held up, mistake fifth, still plenty to do when blundered 2 out, never on terms.

CASTLE CARROCK (IRE) making handicap debut, was the stable first string according to the market but on his toes beforehand and offered little after 8 months off; held up, pushed along before 3 out, made no impression.

GIBBS ISLAND wasn't in the same form as last time, back on soft ground and in trouble a fair way from home; held up, labouring before 3 out.

LAAFI (FR) handicapping after just 2 starts and tried in blinkers (had won in them on final Flat start), had been off for 10 months and promised a bit more than he delivered as he moved into the race at the second last; waited with, tracked pace after fifth, chased leaders stumbled 2 out, outpaced after.

CRACKING RHAPSODY (IRE) in excellent form in the spring, offered little on his return, looking to be carrying plenty of condition and perhaps just rusty after 7 months off; held up, still plenty to do after fifth, mistake next, shaken up after, made no impression.

RUBBER BALL looked on a fair mark for his handicap debut but finished down the field on his first start since the spring, not offering much; handy, shaken up before 3 out, lost place quickly.

NO ORDINARY JOE (IRE) was sent off at long odds and finished well held on his second start for his current yard; prominent, weakened quickly 3 out.

KING WILLIAM RUFUS (FR) was well held, going backwards from his reappearance; close up, lost place quickly end of back straight, pulled up entering straight.

SERIOUS CHALLENGE (IRE) was amiss; tracked pace, took keen hold, mistake third, weakening when lost action and pulled up before 2 out.

FIVEONEFIVE (IRE) ran no sort of race, seeming to take little interest; soon detached, off the bridle long way out, tailed off when pulled up fifth.