HUNTINGDON 13:50

All 5 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 5m 7s Closing Sectional: (5.1f): 78.3s (100.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 106%, Betfair SP 103.5%

Yet another big-race win this winter for the in-form Venetia Williams, whose runners regularly thrive under rain-drenched conditions such as these, the form tricky to assess given that none of Djelo's rivals seemed to give their running for a variety of reasons.

DJELO (FR) stepped up on his eye-catching reappearance to post another career-best effort faced with underfoot conditions his yard's runners tend to relish, the fact he comprehensively reversed placings with 2 rivals who'd beaten him in Grade 1 company last season suggesting he's an improved model for all that this form isn't the easiest to assess - he'll continue to warrant respect in similar company, with the very valuable Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor's revamped jumps course next month appealing as an obvious next target; he tanked along in second from early on and, having jumped on 3 out, was in complete control from the home turn, able to win easing down.

PROTEKTORAT (FR) has yet to fully fire this season but going back to a right-handed track seemed against him, hanging that way as he resented restraint under rain-softened conditions, never really laying a glove on the impressive winner as a result, albeit plugging on gamely to take second on the run-in.

GINNY'S DESTINY (IRE) hasn't delivered in 2 starts back but excuses could again be found, never travelling nor jumping with the same verve which had characterised his novice campaign (when beating Djelo by 8 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival) faced with more testing ground than probably ideal, a forceful ride away from the mud more his cup of tea.

NICKLE BACK (IRE) might have needed the run after 8 months off, particularly as he'd reportedly had a troubled preparation (yard battling a virus), but he had squeezed in a racecourse gallop at Fakenham and must have a bit to prove after 3 below-par efforts in a row; he typically blazed the trail jumping well in the main but was soon done with once headed 3 out.

MINELLA DRAMA (IRE) had far more on his plate than in the Old Roan but still didn't run much of a race, losing his place with a mistake 5 out and well beaten soon after.