CHELTENHAM 15:30 4k2t1z

Non Runners: GIN COCO (FR). Hurdles: 8. Race Distance Adjustment: +32 yds

Time: 4m 6.2s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 63s (96.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 102.6%

Quite an attritional renewal of this feature handicap, conditions against the speedier sorts, but it's form to view positively, with a pair of improvers with no stamina doubts coming to the fore.

IBERICO LORD (FR) has made great strides after a stuttering start over hurdles, beating all bar one in the same ownership on his handicap debut and going one better in good style 7 months on, the way he saw this out under testing conditions suggesting the Coral Cup may be a more suitable spring target than something like the County; mid-division, travelled well, headway pushed along early in straight, driven run-in, stayed on to lead final 1f, kept up to work.

LOOKAWAY (IRE) ran at least as well as when winning the Sharp at the Showcase meeting, going from the front again and overhauled only by one on a steeper upward curve; made running, jumped well, pressed on entering straight, headed run-in, kept on.

LUCCIA is proving consistent but there is a creeping suspicion she does more on the bridle than off it; mid-field, travelled as well as any, smooth headway 3 out, second when shaken up approaching last, edged right briefly, one paced.

SONIGINO (FR) ran a good deal better than he managed in this last season without building on his eye-catching comeback run; waited with towards outer, travelled well, crept closer before 3 out, brought wide and shaken up entering straight, not quicken; connections are seemingly in no hurry to send him chasing even though he looks the sort to take to it.

NEMEAN LION (GER) shaped as if still in good form but his jumping let him down late on (overcame a last-flight blunder when winning at Kelso); held up, not fluent 3 out, closing when bad mistake 2 out, hit last, no further impression.

GO DANTE tongue tied following a breathing operation, shaped as if retaining all of his ability after 7 months off; waited with, went handy 5 out, effort entering straight, no extra run-in.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (IRE) under a 5-lb penalty, couldn't repeat the form of his dominant Ascot win, possibly finding the race coming too soon little over a fortnight on; chased leader, close up still home turn, weakened approaching last.

PUNCTUATION successful on the Flat on his return the previous month, ran better than the distance beaten suggests back over hurdles but needs to find more improvement having gone up a total of 22 lb for 3 wins last season; dropped out, headway out wide 4 out, effort entering straight, no extra.

ANYHARMINASKING (IRE) went backwards from his reappearance back under more testing conditions; held up, brief headway 2 out, weakening when awkward last.

ONLYAMATTEROFTIME (IRE) looked a very interesting runner on his first start for Willie Mullins but exited in the same manner he had on his final start for N. Madden; tracked pace, took strong hold, yet to be asked for effort when ran out approaching 4 out.

HEY JOHNNY (IRE) was easy to back and ran poorly; chased leaders, mistake 4 out, soon done with, behind when blundered 2 out.

AFADIL (FR) ran no sort of race and has questions to answer now; never travelling well, lost touch before fourth.

SWAFFHAM BULBECK (IRE) turned in a rare poor effort; mid-field, lost place fourth, soon beaten.

L'EAU DU SUD (FR) had an interesting profile but was easy to back and shaped as if amiss following a breathing operation and a 9-month absence; held up, effort after 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out, pulled up soon after.

TOO FRIENDLY struggled off a higher mark back under testing conditions; waited with, weakened between 3 out and 2 out, pulled up.