HAYDOCK PARK 15:00

All 5 ran. Fences: 19. Race Distance Adjustment: +57 yds

Time: 6m 28.7s Closing Sectional: (2.9f): 41.8s (104.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 100.5%

One of Britain's premier staying chases and it had a field to match that description as the trio that dominated this scene in 2017/18 lined up against one another, last year's winner Bristol de Mai joined by the King George/Aintree Bowl winner Might Bite and Gold Cup hero Native River, whilst Thistlecrack, who won the 2016 King George, added more quality and the up-and-coming Clan des Obeaux made up a classy quintet; Might Bite underperforming on the day certainly took something away from the race, but the rest all leave with reason to be positive for the rest of the season and it was another top-class performance at this track by the winner.

BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) maintained his impeccable Haydock record, 4 from 4 here now and dominant every time, unable to replicate last year's romp in this race on ground that was much less testing but still pretty flawless from the front, a performance that bit easier to quantify than 12 months earlier as he lowered the colours of last season's Gold Cup winner into second, no doubting he's top class on his day, and to do it away from the mud like this shows there are more strings to his bow; travelled and jumped well, led until fourth, led again sixth, headed thirteenth, remained close up and jumped on again 4 out, asserted between last 2 and driven out; he failed to fire in last year's King George but, in hindsight, maybe 2 big performances in the previous 6 weeks had left a mark, and the fact that he'll go to Kempton a fresher horse this time around could be a real positive - Might Bite now having something to prove means the race looks much more open, Bristol de Mai definitely coming into the equation at a flat track that ought to play to his strengths.

NATIVE RIVER (IRE) who hadn't been seen since winning the Gold Cup, made a very solid return from 8 months off, not performing to his very best but doing all that he could under conditions that didn't place enough emphasis on stamina as is ideal for such a strong stayer; never far away, led fourth, headed sixth, led again thirteenth, headed again 4 out, outpaced but typically stuck to task; this certainly suggests that he'll prove as good as ever this season, and he'll merit the utmost respect in all of the big staying chases, especially if the mud is flying.

THISTLECRACK has been beset with problems since winning the 2016 King George, seen only twice last season and below his best both times, but this was an encouraging comeback from 11 months off that shows he at least retains most of his ability, rusty in the jumping department which held him back rather, just making headway when a slow leap 4 out stopped him making up more ground, but he'd travelled well for much of the way and, encouragingly, he was closing the gap on his stablemate at the end; he now has to prove he can back this up, but it isn't out of the question he'll sharpen up all around for this and he shouldn't be written off for the King George.

CLAN DES OBEAUX (FR) progressed last season, making the jump up to Grade 1 company when third to Might Bite in the Bowl when last seen 8 months ago, and this was another good effort at the top level, albeit ultimately put in his place; held up, mistake first, ridden after 5 out, headway 3 out, outpaced after next; only a 6-y-o, he's consistent/likeable and remains very lightly raced over staying trips.

MIGHT BITE (IRE) disappointed for the first time yet over fences but the fact that it came on his return from 8 months makes it that bit easier to forgive as perhaps he wasn't as straight as anticipated for this return, shaping that way as his jumping lacked its usual flamboyance and he finished tired; prominent, ridden before 4 out, every chance still 3 out, weakened next; obviously he has a bit more to prove all of a sudden but, assuming nothing comes to light, it'd be no surprise if he bounced straight back in the King George.