KEMPTON PARK 15:35

Non Runners: ASO (FR). Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 5m 50.5s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 37.2s (97.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 101.8%

The biggest field since 2009 for a high-end and very competitive handicap on paper, the majority fully exposed, including quite a few regulars in the race, but plenty in good form and 5 running off BHA marks above 150; not many got involved off a furious pace, however, the charge to the first like a mini-Grand National, Mellow Ben forcing it, closely pursued by Double Shuffle and Mister Malarky, the trio well clear mid-race, the winner, trying 3m for the first time, clearly well suited by the way things unfolded and putting up one of the best performances in the race in recent years, winning for a stable that has a fine record in the race, Nacarat and Double Shuffle standing dishes in the contest.

CLONDAW CASTLE (IRE) proved better than ever, well suited by a strongly-run race on good ground trying 3m for the first time; patiently ridden, travelled well, headway after 4 out, led under pressure 2 out, clear last, reduced advantage close home, ridden out; he's likely to be back in pattern company next, with a Grade 1 at Aintree on the agenda, that surely bound to require more.

ERICK LE ROUGE (FR) the youngest in the field, bounced back to form with blinkers on and and under a change of rider, likely to have been given an even more attacking ride had he not missed out the first, proving himself conclusively at the trip; close up when clouted first, generally not that fluent, chased leaders until fifth, took closer order again back straight, sent on thirteenth, ridden straight, headed 2 out, not quicken, rallied run-in; presumably the 3m handicap on Grand National day or even the Gold Cup at Sandown could be spring options for him.

MISTER MALARKY given a breathing operation and under a 7-lb claimer, ran a cracker in his bid to repeat last season's victory, going with considerable zest and sticking to his task well, certainly plenty in his best efforts to think he'd be of interest in the Grand National; chased leader, ridden before 4 out, not quicken approaching 2 out, kept on run-in.

ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR) confirmed his return to top form, having gone back up 10 lb in the handicap, running a fair bit better than he had in 2 previous tries in this race, showing himself effective over an easy 3m in the process; mid-division, headway after eleventh, chased leaders straight, not quicken before 2 out.

CAP DU NORD (FR) wasn't disgraced on less testing ground than of late, just run off his feet a little as a result, though he did easily best of those that raced in the second half of the field; held up, effort when blundered fourteenth, plugged on straight, never landed a blow.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) running in the race for the fourth time (runner-up in 2017 and 2019), was far from disgraced given how involved he was with the strong pace, less of a stayer than the third and unable to see the race out quite so well after the pair had matched strides for most of the way behind the leader; chased leader, travelled well, ridden after 4 out, weakened next.

MELLOW BEN (IRE) has some strong form to his name and remains in good heart, but he was ultimately well held after being asked to set too searching a gallop; forced pace, not fluent third, fourth, ridden when headed thirteenth, weakened after 4 out.

FINGERONTHESWITCH (IRE) was back in open company and didn't run much of a race, never threatening; raced off the pace, ridden when mistake thirteenth, made no impression.

THE BUTCHER SAID (IRE) given a breathing operation since his last run, just ran no sort of race; always behind.

SLATE HOUSE (IRE) failed to build on the encouragement of his last run, in a much tougher contest this time, never looking likely to get involved, on good going for the first time since his (winning) hurdling debut, finishing lame; raced off the pace, mistake eighth, labouring thirteenth.

SOUPY SOUPS (IRE) might have been expected to benefit from the return to less testing ground but fared no better than last time; raced off the pace, labouring back straight.

TALKISCHEAP (IRE) was well held, as he had been in 2 previous attempts in the race, at least now qualified to run in the Grand National, an impressive winner of the Gold Cup at Sandown on his only previous try at a marathon trip; raced off the pace, labouring back straight, never on terms.

SOUTHFIELD STONE met a sad end; chased leaders until second, settled in touch after, ridden when fell fatally 4 out.

YOUNG WOLF (IRE) fared no better, this seemingly too competitive; raced off the pace, mistake ninth, labouring after, tailed off thirteenth, pulled up before 3 out.

DELIRE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) looked rusty on his first start since winning the Silver Bowl here last March, without the blinkers he's worn of late but with minimal encouragement in truth, the longer trip neither here nor there; in rear, labouring early final circuit, slow eleventh, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out.

AL DANCER (FR) ran poorly, in trouble well before the longer trip came into play; prominent main group, bad mistake seventh, labouring before twelfth, pulled up before 3 out.

BLACK CORTON (FR) runner-up in the 2020 running, again failed to fire and was reportedly retired, a grand servant to connections over the last 5 seasons; prominent main group, labouring halfway, lost place entering back straight, pulled up before 3 out.