EXETER 15:00

All 7 ran. Fences: 15. Race Distance Adjustment: +15 yds

Time: 5m 14.5s Closing Sectional: (2.2f): 37.2s (96.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.1%

A well-run race considering conditions, one of the joint-favourites grossly ill-suited to the examination while the other clung on in a tight finish involving 2 others who, not coincidentally, were also stepping down from a staying trip.

STORMY FLIGHT (IRE) took his form figures around here to 2211, dipping into veterans company for the first time in a race that tested stamina to the full at the trip; pressed leader, edged ahead 2 out, closed down close home by pair of even stronger stayers.

ICONIC MUDDLE gave his running once more as he made it 4 runner-up finishes in a row, that record - and his long losing run generally - misrepresentative of his attitude, likely to have got up here had he got rolling sooner dropped back from 3m; held up, jumped better, outpaced home turn, effort from 3 out, kept on well final 50 yds, closed down leader close home.

COME ON TEDDY (IRE) turned in his best effort of the season, no coincidence it would come tackling fences for the first time since returning from his lay-off, having taken to chasing so well as a novice; waited with, mistake fifth, outpaced home turn, rallied 3 out, effort when snatched up briefly next, stayed on well inside final 50 yds, this test barely adequate.

NUMITOR went as if retaining bags of his enthusiasm and the bulk of his ability to boot making a belated return, shaping well until a positive ride told under the conditions; pressed leader, jumped boldly, went with zest, jumped on fourth, headed briefly home turn, kicked on 3 out, collared next, tied up last; he's potentially well handicapped with a spring campaign in mind, all conditions coming alike to him.

GOOD BOY BOBBY (IRE) is better judged on this season's previous form; not always fluent, led until fourth, remained prominent, led again briefly home turn, outpaced gradually, unsuited by the drop in trip.

MIDNIGHT MIDGE never figured in a higher grade than normal after 3 months off; raced off the pace, not fluent 5 out, struggling after.

RAFFLE TICKET failed to advertise his Doncaster form in anything like the same fashion Cruz Control had in the interim, absent for 10 weeks since and falling to pieces faced with heavy ground for the first time; jumped well, in touch out wide, pressed leader early final circuit, faltered quickly straight.