FONTWELL PARK 14:40

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +48 yds

Time: 4m 49.3s Closing Sectional: (4.3f): 61.5s (104.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 99.3%

His main market rivals failed to give their running, but it was still an impressive performance by the favourite Royaume Uni, who sauntered through the race and had plenty in hand of the rejuvenated runner-up at the line.

ROYAUME UNI (IRE) wasted no time getting back on the up returned to calmer waters, finding it all coming easily to him at a longer trip but away from the mud; waited with, tanked along, headway approaching 3 out, close up when not fluent 2 out, led last, asserted run-in, won easily; he's got little chance of making the cut for the Coral Cup but looks an ideal candidate for the 2½m Grade 3 handicap hurdle at the Grand National meeting.

HELL RED (FR) back down in trip, bounced back to his best after 10 weeks off; made running, jumped soundly in main, travelled well, ridden entering straight, headed last, no match for winner.

ISLAND RUN upped in trip, failed to progress on handicap debut after 9 weeks off, though there were mitigating circumstances and he probably deserves another chance; held up, stumbled badly first, took closer order 3 out, shaken up entering straight, held when mistake last, one paced, not unduly punished.

GRANGECLARE GLORY (IRE) possibly found the race coming too soon; in touch, went in snatches, ridden from 3 out, one paced.

DREAMING BLUE wasn't disgraced sent handicapping in first-time cheekpieces; prominent, not fluent fourth, ridden early in straight, no extra between last 2.

MANVERS HOUSE ran poorly in first-time tongue strap; in touch, took closer order before fourth, ridden before 3 out, weakened.

BREAKING WAVES (IRE) ran another moody race after 4 months off; chased leaders, not fluent third, lost place when not fluent next, mistake fifth, reminders circuit out, pulled up before 3 out.