KELSO 15:35

All 10 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +32 yds

Time: 6m 49.9s Closing Sectional: (4f): 60s (103.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.4%

The ditch was omitted on the final two circuits due to being damaged

The highest-quality race on the card but plenty arrived with questions to answer and less than a handful still looked possible winners by the time they got to the second last, a couple of veterans having soon been outpaced in a race run at a brisk pace thanks to Cilaos Emery.

ELVIS MAIL (FR) has been reinvented as a stayer after years at shorter distances and found everything - bar clearing the fences without alarm, as is his wont - coming easily in a well-run race featuring a few sour veterans; patiently ridden, typically not fluent, third halfway, loomed up straight, quickened to lead last, went clear.

HALF SHOT (IRE) is still in the form of his life and shows no sign of ending that pattern, the longer trip not so suitable for him as it was the winner after both had gone on the bridle for most of the way; chased leader, travelled powerfully, not fluent back straight, loomed up straight, pushed along approaching last, no extra; he'd reached another career-high mark for his even narrower second at the previous meeting at the track but remains a likely good thing in a lower-class race back at shorter.

FORWARD PLAN (IRE) had his winning run ended in a higher class of handicap, his stamina possibly stretched by the end as well in a truer test at this trip for all it didn't cost him any positions; waited with, hit ninth, eleventh, took closer order fourteenth, pushed along entering straight, held but still clear third (3 lengths behind Half Shot and 7 in front of Doyen Breed) last, tied up late on.

DOYEN BREED (IRE) gave further notice he's on the way back, doing well under the circumstances to even complete given the severity of an early error; in touch, lost place when walked through second (fence omitted next 2 circuits), went handy again back straight, lost place when ridden home turn, rallied flat.

MIGHTY THUNDER again hinted he still has something to offer; mid-field, outpaced from early final circuit, stayed on again gradually latter stages, needs the emphasis more on stamina.

BAVINGTON BOB (IRE) didn't shape much better in truth with blinkers replaced by cheekpieces after just 7 days off, long since having a lazy streak but temperament appearing to be getting the better of him since seemingly reaching his ability ceiling; held up, lost place when reminders over circuit out, labouring still thirteenth, plugged on straight and still doing so in scrum for fourth when bad mistake last.

BIG RIVER (IRE) has deteriorated this season but hasn't been seen to best advantage on his last 2 outings now 9 weeks apart; in rear, never going pace, struggling still 3 out, merely closed up late in race that didn't place sufficient emphasis on stamina for him.

CILAOS EMERY (FR) went with far more zest but didn't get home under a positive ride at a trip in excess of 3m, connections' apparent designs on qualifying for a possibly ill-advised bid at the Grand National - he'd have little chance of staying and is prone to mistakes as well - not getting the desired outcome as he wilted out of the frame; led until before last, weakened, finished tired.

CLONGUILE WAY (IRE) has been harshly dealt with by the handicapper after his cross-country run (11 lb higher than when beaten in Borders National here the time before) but ran no sort of race even so; went with little fluency, in touch early, labouring before halfway.

HILL SIXTEEN was presumably having a pipe-opener ahead of an ambitious tilt at the Grand National, having had another breathing operation since the Becher; soon steadied, outpaced from thirteenth, no threat, lost shoe.