WETHERBY 14:58

Non Runners: GREY DAWNING (IRE). Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +18 yds

Time: 6m 0.9s Closing Sectional: (2.25f): 33.6s (99.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 101.8%

The more prestigious of the 2 races on the weekend impacted by the ground-related withdrawal of Gold Cup hope Grey Dawning, though that wasn't the only knock on this year's Charlie Hall as it turned out, given the rallying Sam Brown is on the verge of entering his teens and the fourth has had most of his best days previously during the calmer waters of summer handicaps.

THE REAL WHACKER (IRE) gave the most significant indication yet of his recently-relocated trainer's resurgence as he recaptured the sort of form that had seen him cling on from Gerri Colombe in the Broadway in 2023, strong in the market and soon back in his trademark rhythm under a multiple Champion Jockey remarkably having his first ever ride in the Charlie Hall just a week after he'd steered home Minella Drama to win the season's first graded chase; jumping nimbly, he took over at the fourth and made the rest, asked to commit approaching 4 out and, despite wandering, having enough left to keep the chasing pack at bay, a group headed by a former winner whose powers are on the wane with a veteran mudlark just behind.

BRAVEMANSGAME (FR) extended his losing run to 8, never a strong finisher even in his heyday but something of a soft touch these days (had third breathing operaton during absence), highlighted in this in 2023 when wilting following a last-fence mistake and also here as he failed to bridge to gap to the front-running winner after giving chase in the straight, a dour stayer rising 13 snapping at his heels by the line to boot; he'll look to reclaim his King George claim next time but a similar fate probably awaits.

SAM BROWN exceeded expectations, though this second reappearance placing in a Charlie Hall - this one on even less testing ground than the first - with headgear left off probably says more about the limitations of the form than it does herald any career-best aged 12; in touch early, he was outpaced fully a circuit out and didn't begin to warm up until the home turn, staying on gradually from there without having the pace to get in a blow at the winner.

HANG IN THERE (IRE) shaped as if still in form after 9 weeks off by making his presence felt stepping outside handicaps, a couple of jumping lapses preventing him putting up more of a fight for the placings; patiently ridden, clouted eleventh, good progress approaching straight, ridden when hit 3 out, effort flattened out.

CONFLATED (IRE) seemed to support the view he takes a run or 2 to get going, lacking zip at both ends of the race having not got very far on his recent comeback from a break; led until fourth but never going with zest, lost ground gradually back straight, shuffled back home turn, weakened 3 out.

FRENCH DYNAMITE (FR) possibly found the race coming too soon little more than 2 weeks on from Punchestown, though his unathletic jumping returned, too; tracked pace, typically made mistakes, pushed along approaching straight, beaten quickly.