LUDLOW 15:15

All 9 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +70 yds

Time: 5m 8.7s Closing Sectional: (2.2f): 35.2s (94.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 98.6%

This handicap was still in the balance 4 out, at which point Gardefort unseated, carrying out Tommy Silver, their departure leaving the path clear for a winner who may not be so good as the margin of victory makes him look.

GORTROE JOE (IRE) made it third time lucky in this sphere back under Harry Skelton and might have won even without Gardefort and Tommy Silver departing 4 out, though that incident undoubtedly made life easier for him and probably exaggerated the winning margin; close up, travelled well, blundered fourth, led tenth, ridden before 2 out, driven clear; his prospects now depend on the handicapper, while there's still room for improvement in his jumping (mistake he made this time could well have cost him over stiffer fences).

BROTHER TEDD showed he retains his ability back from 20 months off, but he's never been much better than this over fences and has a good record fresh, so it remains to be seen whether he can build on it; held up, mistake seventh, headway twelfth, ridden when third soon after 4 out, outpaced soon after, plugged on, grabbbed share of second post.

TOWN PARKS (IRE) claimer ridden, got back on track and might come on for the run having missed 9 weeks, though it's doubtful he'd have finished second without the departures 4 out; chased leaders, ridden when left second soon after 4 out, plugged on, joined for second post.

DEAUVILLE DANCER (IRE) again ran below form; held up, struggling badly after 5 out.

GARDEFORT (FR) claimer ridden, found this company easier and was in the process of bouncing right back to form when departing, possible he'd have won, though there was still a way to go; in touch, travelled well, slow first, went prominent twelfth, second and going as well as winner when bad mistake rider 4 out, unseated rider some way after the fence.

TOMMY SILVER (FR) after 10 weeks off, was in the process of running well when departing through no fault of his own, holding every chance at the time; in touch, lost place eleventh, in touch again home turn, disputing third and not yet firmly ridden when carried out after 4 out.

DEADLY APPROACH upped in trip, failed to build on the promise of last run, stopping too quickly for comfort; led until tenth, weakened after 5 out; he'll be better off in a 0-110 or worse.

WESTERN MILLER (IRE) failed to get to the lead and ran badly; mid-division, clouted seventh, behind when blundered twelfth, soon beaten.

HENRYVILLE back in a hood and returned to chasing, ran no sort of race; soon detached, jumped ponderously, labouring badly long way out; it's a long time since he's been competitive in a race and he isn't worth a rating at present.