CHELTENHAM 14:25 1p5l1p

Non Runners: GEORDIE DES CHAMPS (IRE), BENATAR (IRE). Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +57 yds

Time: 4m 55.8s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 54.7s (99.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 99.7%

Just 6 finishers in a strongly-run race, with casualties from start to finish, obviously weakens this as a piece of form, though clearly the first 2 came here off the back of really good efforts, both of them really likeable, and they don't want marking down too much, a chance that the BHA handicapper won't put them up as much as they deserve because of the fallers; the pair dominated and once again it didn't look easy to come from off the pace.

BARON ALCO (FR) gained a deserved victory, unlucky not to win on his return, his heart-on-sleeve attacking style so often well rewarded on this track, his fine jumping drawing plenty of errors from his rivals; jumped well, went with zest, led after first, ridden after 2 out, kept on well run-in; he's likely to contest the Caspian Caviar at the next meeting here, and probably face the runner-up again, sure to give another good .

FRODON (FR) delivered a career best once again, so tough and genuine, a rematch with the winner in the Caspian Caviar surely on the cards; chased leader, went with enthusiasm, ridden 3 out, kept on well last, held final 100 yds.

GUITAR PETE (IRE) ran respectably, just getting going too late to land a blow at the first 2; held up, ridden before 3 out, not quicken, kept on well approaching last, went third run-in.

MISTER WHITAKER (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, that return perhaps having taken the edge off him, his overall profile still positive, a longer break to the International meeting perhaps enabling him to get closer to the first 2 if targeted at the Caspian Caviar; in rear, mistake ninth, ridden after 4 out, one paced, not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in.

EAMON AN CNOIC (IRE) back over fences, at least got round, though he was never a threat and promised more than he delivered; waited with, travelled well, mistake 3 out, ridden after, one paced straight.

JAVERT (IRE) had chased home the runner-up at Aintree on his return and looked a danger to the first 2 at the third last, but he didn't see the race out, finishing well held, lack of stamina in a well-run race or a problem both possibilities; never far away, chased leaders 3 out, not quicken, lost third 2 out, weakened run-in.

WHOSHOTWHO (IRE) after 4 months off, didn't get the chance to show himself up to this grade; fell first.

WILLIE BOY (IRE) is surely on a good mark, but he may take a while to get over this experience, taking a crashing fall and bringing 2 others down; chased leaders, made mistakes, going well when fell thirteenth.

MOVEWITHTHETIMES (IRE) would have run creditably had he not overjumped at the last, still with potential as a chaser if everything came together; waited with, effort before 3 out, went third 2 out, little impression on first 2 when fell last.

ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR) didn't get far after just 7 days off; blundered and unseated rider first.

KING'S SOCKS (FR) who'd reportedly had a breathing operation, was shaping encouragingly in first-time tongue strap after 7 months off when he departed, sixth at the time and with chances of making the frame, assuming he saw the trip out; held up, pushed along and trying to close in sixth when unseated rider 3 out; not yet fully exposed over fences.

SHANTOU VILLAGE (IRE) fared no better than at the last meeting here in first-time tongue strap; in rear, not always fluent, behind when hampered and unseated last.

KALONDRA (IRE) well backed after 3 months off, failed to complete, departing too early to say where he might have finished; in rear, blundered first, bad mistake and unseated rider twelfth.

HAPPY DIVA (IRE) failed to complete through no fault of her own, shaping well until she went, looking comfortable in a big-field handicap; held up, jumped fluently, travelled well, yet to be asked for effort when brought down 4 out.

RATHER BE (IRE) shaped encouragingly after 8 months off, looking set to be involved in the closing stages when knocked out of the race through no fault of his own; in touch, travelled well, still going strongly when brought down 4 out; he's the sort to win a race of this type this winter.

BALLYANDY didn't jump nearly well enough to think he'd have got involved, though his chance ended when he was almost knocked over 4 out; raced off the pace, jumped poorly, in touch when badly hampered 4 out, pulled up straight.

SPLASH OF GINGE had sprung a surprise in this last season, but that was on soft going and he ran poorly under less testing conditions than he usually encounters; pressed leader early, hit second, struggling when bad mistake ninth, pulled up 2 out.

WEST APPROACH back down in trip, ran no sort of race; raced off the pace, never travelling well, pulled up before tenth.