KELSO 13:50

All 16 ran. Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 50.5s Closing Sectional: (4.65f): 67.1s (98.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 100%

Switching to a handicap and bumping up the prize money was no short-term fix for the Morebattle judged on the continued excellent fields, a trio from Ireland and a number of Southern-trained ones in the field this time around, but the prize stayed North of the border courtesy of Benson picking off more prominently-ridden rivals very late in the day, the gallop having been helter-skelter from the off and several patently better than the result, the runner-up shaping best at the weights in fact and Wajaaha briefly threatening a shock only to pay for his early exertions.

BENSON picked up where he'd left off on New Year's Day, proving better than ever as he followed up from Musselburgh off a 6 lb higher mark, suited by the way the race developed back at the minimum trip; raced off the pace, still plenty to do after 3 out, headway under pressure soon after, found plenty to lead final 50 yds; he's already proved an absolute bargain buy for current connections, picked up for a mere £7,000 last May, and now heads for the Coral Cup under a 5-lb penalty in an attempt to bag the £100,000 bonus that The Shunter managed in 2021, more likely to be required again but every chance the race will set up similary to this, plus he's clearly a reformed character these days.

COLONEL MUSTARD (FR) back over hurdles, shaped encouragingly after 10 weeks off, going like the best horse at the weights after racing closer to the pace than ideal, picked off late in the day by one that came from much further back; tracked pace, not always fluent, travelled well, produced to lead approaching last, edged out final 50 yds; he was third in the County last season and there's no reason why he won't go well in it again provided this doesn't leave a mark, his strong-travelling style ideal for such a race, hard to believe that he's still got just a Galway maiden to his credit as a jumper given his ability.

L'EAU DU SUD (FR) ran at least as well as when filling the same position at Kempton 9 weeks earlier, clearly races to be won with him for this yard and just the type that will do well over fences next season; mid-field, headway after 3 out, shaken up approaching straight, stumbled slightly after 2 out, kept on.

THEREISNODOUBT (IRE) did as well as could have been expected in such a competitive race but was helped by the way it developed, especially as he's ideally suited by more of a test of stamina; in rear, pushed along after fifth, behind still early in straight, kept on well, nearest at the finish.

TRITONIC has done better with each run so far this season yet still didn't go as if in top form, formerly a strong traveller but off the bridle before plenty and an element of him picking up the pieces at the end of a strongly-run race; mid-field, shaken up after fifth, laboured headway between last 2, never nearer.

TEDDY BLUE (GER) was 3 lb lower than in the Betfair and, heavily backed, shaped as if still in good form, but his awkwardness was just as apparent and his jumping isn't really improving with experience, either; in touch, jumped none too fluently, took closer order 3 out, ridden entering straight, hung left after 2 out, no extra run-in.

WAJAAHA (IRE) was turned out again quickly and shaped much better than the bare result, asked to do too much too soon but tanking through it for a long way and trading as low as 2.26 in-running, amazing to think he'd run in a seller just a couple of starts previous; close up, travelled well, went on fourth, kicked on after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened.

NAYATI (FR) was never dangerous and strictly below form but this was a competitive handicap and he did stick at it, no surprise if he's back to his best in calmer waters next time.

CLEAR WHITE LIGHT was ridden too aggressively in first-time blinkers and is better judged on previous form when assessing his chance next time; forced pace, headed fourth, lost place gradually from home turn.

CORMIER (IRE) had won this race 12 months earlier but never looked likely to get competitive this time around following a spell chasing, and that despite the race theoretically being run to suit had he been on his game; raced off the pace, labouring after fifth, never on terms.

EL MUCHACHO (IRE) found this too competitive; in touch, faded from 2 out.

DEERE MARK found so little for pressure that it's reasonable to believe there was something amiss, though nothing came to light immediately after the race; patiently ridden, headway after fifth, chased leaders next, folded tamely 2 out.

MCTIGUE (IRE) looked interesting on his French form tackling his first handicap with the benefit of a 4-y-o allowance but proved notably easy to back near the off and has now run 3 stinkers since defeating St Donats, this one coming after 9 weeks off; chased leaders, lost place after fifth.

COLLINGHAM (GER) is now on a career-high mark but didn't get very far in any case; held up, unseated rider second.

LEBOWSKI (IRE) in first-time tongue strap, continues to be all or nothing, with greater emphasis on the nothing; tracked pace, took strong hold, dropped away approaching 3 out.

LUTTRELL LAD (IRE) can have this debut for a new yard after 6 months off ignored (formerly with Philip Hobbs); held up, mistake fourth, rider lost irons, pulled up.