KELSO 15:00

All 6 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 34.2s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 65.7s (104.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.4%

The only one with the potential for improvement ultimately made short work of some exposed rivals at least 2 years his senior in a one-sided edition of a race run for the first time over nearer 3m than 2½m.

KING OF ANSWERS (IRE) was in a race loaded with old-timers but still looked much more the finished article in forming the second leg of a welcome burst of winners for his yard on the day, focused by first-time cheekpieces and a forcing ride; made all, jumped well in main, kicked on 2 out, clear when pecked last, stayed on well; he was shortened in the market for the Ultima but it's doubtful he's another Corach Rambler or Myretown.

BILL BAXTER (IRE) benefited as expected from the step back up in trip on the back of another breathing operation but couldn't live with a far less exposed rival with his best days ahead, losing his unbeaten record at the track in the process; pressed leader, hit thirteenth, rallied entering straight, left behind by winner last, pulled clear of rest; he's got history over the National fences but will be vulnerable to younger legs there as well if bidding to regain his Topham crown (won race in 2023).

MAXIMILIAN (GER) isn't progressing over fences (even pick of runs in flimsy races) but at least went with more zest than he had at Ayr; waited with, in touch when shaken up home turn, carried head bit awkwardly, no further impression, not unduly punished.

DARE TO SHOUT came in for some support having been freshened back up by an 11-week break but added another below-par performance to his record since his winning return; raced off the pace, went in snatches, headway under pressure briefly home turn, not sustain effort.

EMPIRE STEEL (IRE) went backwards as feared from his belated reappearance out again under 2 weeks on, recording his first ever blip at Kelso (dual winner of this race when run over shorter); raced off the pace, took closer order twelfth, outpaced from 5 out.

ELVIS MAIL (FR) ran worse after 10 weeks off, the first time across 15 visits to Kelso he's failed to finish (never worse than fourth previously), which could encourage connections to draw stumps; in touch, lost place when slow twelfth, faltered quickly.