KEMPTON PARK 15:35

All 14 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 6m 5.2s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 38.1s (99.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A high-end handicap but a similar renewal to many in recent seasons in that it lacked progressive types, contested largely by familiar faces - second, third, fourth and fifth from 2019 were again all in this field - and the form surely solid rather than strong; the gallop was even and there were no hard-luck stories.

MISTER MALARKY had evidently been freshened up by a 9-week break as he bounced back to his very best, this a performance much more in keeping with his novice season; mid-field, took closer order around halfway, upsides from eleventh, went on 4 out, kept on well straight; he's got an entry in the Ultima but the weights don't come out until next week so he'll be assessed on this and, whilst it seems probable that he'll again show his form, it's also likely there'll be better-treated ones at Cheltenham.

BLACK CORTON (FR) after 9 weeks off, ran up to his best back away from the deep mud but has still to win a handicap chase despite his best efforts; mid-field, took closer order around halfway, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, stayed on; he's been out of the frame just twice in 24 starts over fences, a terrific record considering 6 of those runs have been in high-end handicaps.

SAMETEGAL (FR) after 8 weeks off, had the assistance of a good 5-lb claimer and continues in good heart, needing no excuses; mid-field, chased leaders from sixth, ridden home turn, stayed on.

WHATMORE was strong in the betting and acquitted himself well in his first handicap over fences after 6 weeks off, his jumping standing up better than might have been expected, having no issues with the trip, either; held up, travelled better than most, steady headway from 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on without being unduly punished.

KILDISART (IRE) has slipped a bit in the weights and took a definite step back in the right direction, no surprise if he does better again in a Cheltenham handicap next time, either; held up, hit twelfth, not fluent fourteenth, still plenty to do entering straight, nearest at the finish.

ADRIEN DU PONT (FR) was third in this last year (from a 6 lb higher mark) and not disgraced after 9 weeks off, but there remains the suspicion that he's better served by less testing conditions at 3m; in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, shaken up home turn, not quicken straight.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) has twice been runner-up in this race but hasn't fired so far this season and it's possible his best days are behind him; prominent, jumped soundly, dropped away from 4 out.

ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR) was comfortably the longest priced of the Paul Nicholls-trained quartet and below form after 8 months off, the emphasis probably more on stamina than is ideal and his mark too high for competitive handicaps at this time of year, anyway; held up, headway after 4 out, faded after next.

CRIEVEHILL (IRE) after 9 weeks off, clearly isn't in the same sort of form as earlier in the season, though it's worth reiterating that it's always likely to be tough for him from marks in the mid-150s; tracked pace, not always fluent, lost place from halfway, labouring thirteenth.

JUST A STING (IRE) was only 3 lb higher than for his win over C&D at Christmas but didn't get a chance to show what he could do; tracked pace, fell sixth.

DASHING PERK probably remains in form, facing a stiffer task up in grade from a 2 lb out of the weights and unsuited by the return to 3m, too; made running, headed 4 out, weakened quickly home turn.

AZZERTI (FR) in first-time cheekpieces, again ran poorly; patiently ridden, not fluent eighth, tenth, labouring soon after, well beaten 4 out.

HIGHWAY ONE O ONE (IRE) again ran poorly, ridden more patiently than usual back at 3m but seemingly just not right for whatever reason at the minute; held up, well beaten approaching 4 out.

TALKISCHEAP (IRE) had undergone a breathing operation since his previous outing 3 months earlier but it seemingly hasn't had the desired effect as he again shaped similarly, stopping worrying quickly; close up, every chance home turn, folded 3 out.