KEMPTON PARK 15:00

All 9 ran. Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 1.8s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 37s (101.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 101.8%

The biggest upset in King George history since the veteran Edredon Bleu won in 2003, his 25/1 SP that day more a reflection of stamina doubts than his chance on form, his success aided by plenty of his rivals proven at the trip failing to give their running, something similar true of this renewal, with plenty of the more fancied runners just not showing up, Frodon's form coming into the race not looking quite good enough, plenty of it in the book after all, given how fully he's been campaigned since making his chasing debut as a 3-y-o in France, the key moment right at the start, perhaps 5 looking as if they would contest the lead as the field walked round, but Frodon and Bryony Frost allowed the advantage and able to go at their ideal tempo, the race much more steadily run than the earlier Kauto Star for novices, the tempo lifting 4 out, none of the others having the speed or the jumping prowess to land a blow thereafter, the riders on the unproven stayers in second and fourth perhaps those with most to reflect afterwards about what might have been.

FRODON (FR) is one of the most likeable horses in training and his success was thoroughly deserved, though it owed a fair bit to tactics, along with his excellent jumping and very willing attitude, whether it represents much in terms of improvement doubtful, plenty of the others just not at their best; made all, jumped well though to the left, went with enthusiasm, pressed on after 4 out, in command straight, shaken up before 2 out, unchallenged; he's likely to go for the Gold Cup, which may well prove a bridge too far, though he obviously deserves the chance.

WAITING PATIENTLY (IRE) showed he retains all his ability, proving his stamina at the same time, making up considerable ground - around 7 lengths - from 3 out, but running out of time to reach the winner, his rider in hindsight likely to have been better off sitting closer than he did earlier in the race; held up, not always fluent, took keen hold, still plenty to do early in straight, headway 2 out, went second last, kept on run-in, too much to do; he won the Ascot Chase in 2018 and that would look a good next option, hopefully able to stand more racing this season than last.

CLAN DES OBEAUX (FR) couldn't complete the hat-trick of wins in this, a bit below form, the way he travelled suggesting he was still feeling the effects of a tough race at Haydock, though he deserves credit for the way he stuck to his task; held up, pushed along after eleventh, hit fourteenth, ridden after, went third 3 out, mistake last, plugged on; with the Gold Cup unlikely to be on the agenda again, he'll presumably be freshened up for Aintree, every chance he'll be back on song by then, young enough too to bounce back in this race in 12 months.

SAINT CALVADOS (FR) ran a fine race on his first start at 3m and his first outing since the Ryanair, much better than the distances indicate, just not seeing it out after failing to settle for much of the way, his rider in hindsight perhaps better advised to give him his head; waited with, tanked along, pulled way into prominent position from fifth, chased leader from 4 out, ridden when not fluent 2 out, no extra, beaten when mistake last; he's got a good race in him and seems sure to give another good account in this season's Ryanair.

SANTINI a surprising addition to the field at the 6-day stage, given how unsuitable the race was likely to be for him and that he'd won the Cotswold on his way to finishing second in the Gold Cup last season, was predictably below form, just not suited by the relative test of speed; chased leader, shaken up early final circuit, mistake twelfth, ridden after, mistake 4 out, outpaced after; it's easy enough to put a line through this, likely to show much more like his form if he turns up in the Cotswold or the Denman, which one, if any, perhaps dependent on where Champ goes.

BLACK OP (IRE) was out of his depth; prominent, not fluent second, pushed along early final circuit, ridden when blundered 4 out, left behind soon after.

CYRNAME (FR) second last season and with obvious form claims, clearly wasn't himself, his rider reporting afterwards that the horse was never travelling, though there was no explanation offered for why he stopped so rapidly under pressure; waited with, brief headway thirteenth, mistake next, folded tamely, pulled up straight; hopefully he will bounce back quickly, though connections will presumably want to get to the bottom of the problem before he's asked to run again, no surprise if he's not seen until Aintree.

LOSTINTRANSLATION (IRE) is best watched for the time being, running no sort of race again, physical issues clearly a concern on his 2 runs this season; handy, pushed along after eleventh, lost place thirteenth, pulled up straight, bled.

REAL STEEL (FR) in first-time tongue strap, went backwards from his reappearance, a physical problem as likely an explanation as lack of stamina for his finishing effort, given the way the race was run; held up, headway before 4 out, chased leaders before straight, weakened 3 out, pulled up last.