CHELTENHAM 14:20 5f6w2e

All 15 ran. Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +66 yds

Time: 4m 59.9s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 55.4s (99%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 105.1%

A multiple Grade 1 winner heading the weights and one of last season's premier novice chasers the market added a couple of fresh dynamics to this year's Paddy Power, but it was all rather more familiar in event as a stalwart of the intermediate-distance handicaps at the track - one of 5 kept out of the handicap by Protektorat - had things sewn up soon after moving to the front on the home turn, with a host of other regulars, headed by the 2022 winner Ga Law, involved in the chasing pack, among whom Madara was the most eye-catching from a long way back in another renewal that saw the pace hold up well.

IL RIDOTO (FR) was among the handful out of the handicap but still found himself lower in the weights than when hitting the frame in this for a second successive year behind another 155-rated stablemate Stage Star in 2023 and, with a run under his belt this time, came out on the right side of a verdict with old rivals like Ga Law and Fugitif as he added to his sole previous success in the batch of middle-distance handicaps at this track on his tenth appearance in such; never far away, he went with zest and settled the race quite quickly once asked in the straight, finding himself 7 lengths clear for much of the run-in before the pack reduced his advantage late on; he'll probably prove vulnerable if bidding to follow up next month with a reassessed mark back in the mid-to-high 140s beckoning.

GA LAW (FR) ran at least as well as on his return bidding to regain his Paddy Power crown back at the scene of so many of his best days, just left a little vulnerable from a mark 5 lb higher than that he'd defied - with Il Ridoto back in third in receipt of just 2 lb instead of a stone - in the Trials' Day equivalent last season; took keen hold, settled in touch out wide, hit seventh, ridden when slipped slightly home turn, third when mistake again last yet continued to rally in typically determined style to claim second.

LETS GO CHAMP (IRE) gave it a good go in another well-contested handicap 4 months on from his sixth in the Galway Plate, prior problems seemingly irrelevant these days if his consistency is any guide; close up, jumped well, left in front water jump, tackled briefly 4 out, headed entering straight, not quicken; he's yet to run in a 3m handicap chase.

MADARA (FR) had made his sole appearance for Keiran Burke just 2 weeks earlier yet immediately caught the eye starting out for his new yard, not only proving his stamina for the longer trip but leaving the impression he'd have been the one pushing Il Ridoto closest had his run from well back started sooner; dropped out, he was no better than tenth and yet to be asked for his effort crossing 4 out and was still 11 lengths down at the next, but he'd picked up so well by the end that he'd motored into fourth by the line without being unduly punished, finishing with running left; he's very much one to note for other good handicaps.

FUGITIF (FR) shaped as if as good as ever after 7 months off, not seen to best effect yet only a place away from maintaining his record of having never finished outside the frame in one of these intermediate-distance handicaps around here, a breathing operation during his absence presumably behind his rejuvenation following a poor end to 2023/24; dropped out, hampered eighth, eleventh, still plenty to do 4 out, steady headway next, fourth when hung left entering straight, effort flattened out as absence and big move presumably combined to take toll.

PROTEKTORAT (FR) was the second multiple top-level winner to tackle a big handicap in as many weekends after the Old Roan but he couldn't match Ahoy Senor's exploits from that race, probably shy of peak fitness first time back and also a little too exuberant; took strong hold in mid-field, hit rail soon after third, in contention after 3 out, faded.

JANIDIL (FR) just his yard's second runner in this race since 2002 after fellow also-ran Authorized Art last year, might have needed the run in first-time blinkers after 3 months off, though it's doubtful he's stll got the required cutting edge for competitive big-field handicaps all the same; patiently ridden, crept closer between 4 out and 3 out, not sustain effort.

STRAW FAN JACK showed his form for sure only once (third in Plate here) last season and started this one on a lowish note faced with a stiff task from 6 lb out of the weights; waited with, lost ground early final circuit, struggling from 4 out.

HARTUR D'ARC (FR) should be sharper for this return in a race that placed far too much emphasis on speed from just out of the weights, having ended his novice season winning a Leinster National and finishing tenth in the Irish version; in rear, struggled with pace, slow third, struggling before 4 out.

IN EXCELSIS DEO (FR) paid for a now-trademark mistake 4 out just as he was being shaken up to close from off the pace.

WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT (IRE) found the effort of trying to go the gallop in this tougher environment (8 lb out of weights) exhausting him, never looking at ease and pulled up as he tailed off soon after 5 out.

IMAGINE (FR) became the latest flop from the high-profile Caldwell dispersal out of Gordon Elliott's yard, looking very fit but failing to impress in physique (also sweating) and falling well short of market expectations returning from 10 months off; mid-field, lost ground before 5 out, behind when pulled up quickly 3 out.

JETOILE (IRE) failed to come on for his recent return from a break; in touch, took keen hold, lost place when reminders soon after 4 out, no response.

EDITEUR DU GITE (FR) lost the lead and all chance when landing in the water and probably should have been pulled up right away instead of clearing 2 more fences.

GINNY'S DESTINY (IRE) looked to be carrying condition and shaped as though badly in need of the run in failing to mirror his stablemate Stage Star's exploits by defying the same lofty mark in this in 2023; close up, upsides soon after 4 out, not fluent next, weakened quickly; he went from strength to strength after folding in similar fashion first time out here last season (when rated much lower) and is well worth another chance, be it in handicaps or in open graded company in something like the Peterborough Chase.