NEWBURY 15:00

All 18 ran. Fences: 21. Race Distance Adjustment: +14 yds

Time: 6m 21.4s Closing Sectional: (3.05f): 40.8s (109.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 101.9%

This looked beforehand a competitive renewal of one of the great handicaps of the jumps season, even if it didn't seem a vintage field, for all that there were 10 running off BHA marks of 150 or above, but it proved one of the most one-sided runnings in its long history, only 2 others looking to pose any threat to the winner turning for home, the race as good as over after a spectacular leap 4 out, the performance the most dominant in the race since Denman in 2007, though in form terms this was around 30 lb inferior, Denman's one of the great handicap performances of the modern era, Cloth Cap the first to score from a mark below 140 since Be My Royal, subsequently disqualified, was first past the post in 2002; the race was well run, the time particularly quick on ground that was verging on good to firm, a good position vital, those raced right on the inside filling the frame, though Vinndication, like the winner in cheekpieces first time, might well have had an impact on that from a wider position had he not fallen 5 from home when still bang in contention.

CLOTH CAP (IRE) was transformed by cheekpieces and an attacking ride, much improved and dominating the race throughout, in little danger in the straight; led, jumped superbly, travelled strongly, headed briefly third, made rest, clear 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well run-in, impressive; he faces a hike in the weights, but that should mean he has no trouble getting in the Grand National field, that surely on the agenda after this, particularly given his owner's (and trainer's) history with the race.

AYE RIGHT (IRE) a year younger than the pair he split, ran a cracker, coping really well with the demands of a big-field handicap at the first attempt, his jumping solid, if not quite so spectacular as the winner's; prominent, travelled well, led briefly third, chased leader straight, shaken up before 2 out, stuck to task, no impression on winner; he looks set to be a fixture in this type of race and a good one ought to come his way, perhaps a year too early for the Grand National itself, though the Scottish version might be ideal in the spring, the way that he races ideal for that test.

THE CONDITIONAL (IRE) ran creditably, placed for the second year running, though unlike last season running without the benefit of a previous run, that perhaps making the difference between second and third, but no more than that; in touch, travelled well, mistake third, went prominent early final circuit, loomed up approaching 4 out, shaken up 3 out, kept on run-in; he'll continue to give a good account, building a really solid record in top staying handicaps and, like the first 2, an obvious candidate for the Grand National in the spring.

THE HOLLOW GINGE (IRE) in first-time visor (tried in cheekpieces previously), ran up to best, like the first 3 raced round the inside, though unlike them coming from well off the pace, doing best of those held up; raced off the pace, effort before 4 out, kept on well, took fourth last, nearest at the finish; a winter in good staying handicaps awaits.

BEWARE THE BEAR (IRE) fourth on his reappearance in the last 2 runnings, had to settle for fifth this time, seen only once (over hurdles) since last season's race; held up, headway when mistake fourteenth, labouring before seventeenth, stayed on after 3 out, never on terms.

ARDLETHEN (IRE) wasn't disgraced, getting closer than most from off the pace, though the fourth and fifth saw the race out better than he did; held up, some headway before 4 out, went fourth 2 out, no extra run-in.

KILDISART (IRE) was below form back over fences, though there are reasons enough to excuse his effort, the ground and a moderate tactical ride, wide of the action, among them; raced wide, held up, steady headway back straight, shaken up before seventeenth, blundered 3 out, mistake last, never on terms; he's likely to be of interest in similar events into the winter.

LA BAGUE AU ROI (FR) was below form, hitting 4 out snuffing out what was already a barely flickering chance; in rear, ridden briefly circuit out, yet to be asked for effort when blundered 4 out, not persevered with once held.

BLACK OP (IRE) was short on experience for a race like this and didn't really cope with the demands of it, beaten by more than lack of stamina; handy, mistake twelfth, pushed along after, ridden seventeenth, no extra after 3 out.

BALLYOPTIC (IRE) really isn't good enough to win a race of this quality off a mark in the 160s, though the ground would have been no use to him anyway; in rear, labouring circuit out, mistake fifteenth, tailed off seventeenth.

SECRET INVESTOR looked fairly treated off a mark 6 lb higher than for his win at Chepstow, but his jumping didn't stand the test in a stronger handicap, finishing well held, mistakes rather than lack of stamina the issue; mid-division, blundered tenth, effort entering straight, keeping on when mistake 4 out, clouted next, no extra.

VINNDICATION (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, was shaping encouragingly and looked set to make the frame at least when he departed, racing wider than the other principals and not jumping quite so well as either of the first 2 but still bang there; not always fluent, close up soon after start, every chance when fell seventeenth; he's still in the King George, his run at Wetherby certainly entitling him to take his chance if none the worse for this, the race looking fairly thin for such a championship at this stage.

POTTERMAN was shaping with some encouragement before he departed in the back straight; mid-division, headway when bad mistake and unseated rider thirteenth.

MISTER MALARKY in a change of headgear, departed before halfway, but even that early he looked very unlikely to get involved and certainly has plenty of questions to answer at present; raced off the pace, soon off bridle, unseated ninth.

DANNY WHIZZBANG (IRE) fared no better, just not up to something this competitive; raced off the pace, jumped none too fluently, off the bridle long way out, hampered fifteenth, tailed off when pulled up after sixteenth.

TWO FOR GOLD (IRE) one of the least exposed, didn't jump well enough to hold his position in the last third of the race, probably to be seen to better advantage on softer ground with a slower tempo; prominent, jumped none too fluently, took keen hold, shaken up before seventeenth, mistake there, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up 2 out; he probably shouldn't be written off for this type of race under different conditions.

REGAL ENCORE (IRE) predictable in his unpredictability, pulled up in this race for the third time in 4 attempts, as last season following a good run at Ascot; prominent, travelled well, ridden after sixteenth, soon done with, pulled up before 3 out.

COPPERHEAD ideally needs softer ground but this was still an abject effort, his third such in a row; upsides when not fluent first, blundered fourth, lost place soon after, slow eighth, pulled up.