KELSO 14:40

All 7 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 11.4s Closing Sectional: (4.2f): 66.3s (100.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.5%

Plenty of these clearly didn't show their form, the 2 outsiders filling the first 2 places, but both are smart chasers on their day.

NUTS WELL hadn't jumped well enough when recording a rare poor effort in the Skybet but quickly proved that to be a blip back in a smaller field, proving himself over the thick end of 3m in the process; dropped out, smooth headway back straight, challenged from 2 out, edged ahead run-in, had nothing to spare; he's been the most magnificent servant for the Hamiltons, this his 13th career success and taking his prize money total to over £275,000 earned.

HILL SIXTEEN jumped better than on his last 2 starts and ran as well as he can upped in grade; mid-field, avoided mistakes, shaken up after twelfth, headway under pressure early in straight, every chance from 2 out, stayed on; he's got an entry in the Grand National but is currently no. 72 on the list so it's hard to see him getting a run, the Scottish National a more realistic spring target.

ESPOIR DE ROMAY (FR) looked the pick of the weights on his novice form but was below his best after 4 months off, hardly seeming beaten for lack of fitness, however; close up, not fluent eleventh, went on 3 out, headed soon after next, kept on.

BIG RIVER (IRE) faced a stiffer task in this grade and probably remains in good form, more of a test likely to have suited against this quality of opposition; raced off the pace, not fluent second, ridden after thirteenth, outpaced after 3 out, no threat after.

DINGO DOLLAR (IRE) was below form after 3 months off; prominent, ridden when mistake 3 out, dropped away before next; he's got an entry in the Grand National but didn't run any sort of race on his previous try over the fences (when trained by Alan King).

ITCHY FEET (FR) disappointed in first-time blinkers, his jumping as ever not really passing muster, reportedly suffering a leg injury, too; patiently ridden, jumped none too fluently, shaken up after thirteenth, held when eased early in straight, pulled up before 2 out.

WINDSOR AVENUE (IRE) had beaten Hill Sixteeen a long way when winning the Skybet but wasn't in the same form 5 weeks on, consistency hardly a strong point over the last couple of seasons; forced pace, headed 3 out, weakened, behind when bad mistake next.