CHESTER 15:15

Non Runners: BYRON FLYER, NATE THE GREAT, METIER (IRE).

Time: 4m 4.13s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24.5s (106.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 102%

Plenty of usual suspects in this latest renewal of one of the great staying handicaps on the Flat, but it was an unexposed 4-y-o making his handicap debut that came out on top, Cleveland proving himself a smart stayer on just his fifth career outing and probably value for a bit extra over the result, too, picking his way through from off the pace to collar more prominently-ridden rivals late in the day, the gallop having been no more than fair once the early order had been established.

CLEVELAND (IRE) was comfortably the least exposed one in the field and proved himself a smart stayer upped markedly in trip for his handicap debut, getting the splits when he needed them as he worked his way through towards the inside the rail from off the pace but probably value for a bit extra over the result all the same; held up, went with zest, steady headway from 3f out, switched over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home; he'll go on improving, this just his fifth career start, and whilst he's got big-race entries over all sorts of trips it's surely the Gold Cup where he heads next.

COLTRANE (IRE) back on turf after 8 weeks off, ran up to his very best, picked off only late by an unexposed one, but couldn't have had things go much better through the race, able to adopt a lovely pitch behind the leader from his low draw before being sent for home when his rider wanted; tracked pace, travelled fluently, produced to lead over 1f out, edged out close home.

RAJINSKY (IRE) had the plum draw, a good-value 7-lb claimer up and acquitted himself well under a 3-lb penalty, very few more likeable staying handicappers in training; chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, got gap approaching final 1f, stayed on.

ARCADIAN SUNRISE (IRE) did enough to believe he's up to defying this sort of mark when things fall right after 6 months off; mid-field, travelled better than most, had to pick way through from 2f out, stayed on.

FALCON EIGHT (IRE) who won this race last year, was far from discredited off a 5 lb higher mark, in all probability tryng to come from further back than ideal; raced well off the pace, headway under pressure from 2f out, never landed a blow.

TORCELLO (IRE) did all he could in attempting to make all after 6 months off, just about running well enough to prove his effectiveness over this sort of trip; made running, headed approaching final 1f, no extra.

IT'S GOOD TO LAUGH (IRE) after 9 weeks off, shaped as if still in good form returned to the Flat and, though never dangerous, stuck at it well enough to believe he's going to be effective at 2m+ on the level; in rear, laboured progress over 1f out, never nearer.

LAND OF WINTER (FR) ran creditably after 6 months off, 8 lb higher than when running away with a lesser handicap at Nottingham on his previous outing; chased leaders, shaken up 4f out, not quicken over 2f out; there'll be lesser races for him to contest from his mark but he will need to be better than ever to defy it.

THE GRAND VISIR runner-up in this 12 months earlier, wasn't disgraced but his lack of finishing speed is becoming more noticeable as he gets older, without a win for almost 3 yrs now; close up, ridden under 4f out, outpaced from 2f out.

RESHOUN (FR) never looked likely to get competitive and is maybe being brought along with the Ascot Stakes in mind, just 1 lb higher here than when winning that race in 2021; raced off the pace, pushed along over 4f out, always behind.

SOLENT GATEWAY (IRE) won over 2m here last season but gave himself no chance of seeing out this still longer trip; in touch, refused to settle, dropped away from 2f out; he'd shaped promisingly at Epsom and is well worth another chance to build on that another day.

MORPH SPEED (IRE) is unproven over this sort of distance but, in truth, was in trouble before lack of stamina should have been an issue; out wide, settled mid-field, left behind from 2f out.

HALIPHON failed to stay, shaping better than the distance beaten suggests, and is better judged on his encouraging efforts at Musselburgh and Ripon when assessing his prospects next time; held up, headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out.

SOLO SAXOPHONE (IRE) after 9 weeks off, ran even worse than on his stable debut; raced off the pace, beaten 3f out.