KEMPTON PARK 14:55 4s2g2x

All 20 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 11.4s

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 98.2%

A competitive handicap staged for horses that didn't make the cut at Cheltenham and the form looks pretty strong among the 4 novices that pulled clear, each of that quartet having plenty to recommend them both short and long term; the pace was fair but no better and quite a few were never involved, the fourth about the only one to threaten from behind.

CAROLE'S DESTRIER wasn't himself at Exeter last month for whatever reason but hasn't done much wrong otherwise and put up a useful effort to land this good prize; in touch, shaken up 3 out, chased leaders straight, found plenty to lead close home, affirming that he should be suited by 23f+; will remain of plenty of interest and has a good future, not least as he'll surely make an even better chaser next season.

MARCILHAC (FR) beat subsequent EBF Final winner Brave Vic at Plumpton when last seen and confirmed all that promise making handicap debut back from 9 weeks off, putting up a useful effort in going down narrowly; prominent, travelled well, led before 2 out, ridden when challenged last, kept on well, caught close home; he's bound to go well again, either kept to this sphere or returned to chasing, likely to be even better back over fences if his physique is any guide.

PORTWAY FLYER (IRE) has hardly put a foot wrong this season and produced best effort to date back in a handicap; prominent, travelled fluently, every chance when pushed along 2 out, kept on; sure to go well again and, like the pair that beat him, has the make-up of at least as good a chaser when the time comes.

LEGACY GOLD (IRE) had no problem with the longer trip and ran well despite leaving the impression the switch from uncompetitive mares novices to a big-field handicap came as a bit of a shock to the system, all to her credit that she managed to get involved in view of that; held up, jumped none too fluently, travelled smoothly, headway 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on; likely to benefit from this experience and open to further improvement, well up to winning a handicap from this mark.

BENBANE HEAD (USA) no more than averagely treated, is running consistently well; led, not fluent fifth, shaken up 4 out, headed before 2 out, plugged on; vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

SEVENTH SIGN ran respectably with 7-lb claimer in the saddle back down in trip; mid-division, not fluent second, pushed along 4 out, plugged on, never landed a blow, perhaps needing emphasis a bit more on stamina nowadays.

BYGONES SOVEREIGN (IRE) wasn't disgraced faced with what might be a sharper test than ideal; pressed leader, not fluent fifth, pushed along from next, lost place between 3 out and 2 out, plugged on.

ANOTHER HERO (IRE) upped in trip, shaped as if better for run after 4 months off; held up, progress seventh, shaken up before 3 out, mistakes there, next, weakened between last 2; still early days and not one to write off, likely up to making more of an impact from this mark than 2 handicap outings so far might suggest.

LORD PROTECTOR (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, evidence mounting to suggest he's probably best around 2m; held up, headway 3 out, not sustain effort.

DRUM VALLEY after 10 weeks off, produced a rare below-par effort; mid-division, lost place sixth, beaten 3 out.

CARRIGMORNA KING (IRE) back over hurdles, was below form after 3 months off; mid-division, in touch when pushed along 3 out, weakened next, breathing problem.

PRIDEOFTHECASTLE (IRE) claimer ridden, wasn't in same form as last time; prominent, driven before 3 out, weakened.

GOLDEN HOOF (IRE) was well held after 4 months off and hasn't come anywhere close to scratch the 3 times he's run in a handicap; mid-field, driven 3 out, soon beaten.

SPECIAL CATCH (IRE) produced a rare below-par effort; always behind, not well placed; type to bounce back quickly.

IMPERIAL LEADER (IRE) ran no sort of race for no obvious reason, something perhaps not right; mid-division, lost place when mistake fifth, labouring badly 4 out.

TRADITIONAL BOB (IRE) back over hurdles, probably needed run after 15 months off; always behind; next run should reveal more.

HOME RUN (GER) looks as though he's gone off the boil, as was the case this time last season; never travelling well, looked none too keen, always behind.

CANNON FODDER found run of good form coming to a halt; handy, lost place early final circuit, well beaten 4 out; has had some hard races of late and may benefit from break.

LORD OF SCOTLAND (FR) upped in trip, shaped as if amiss; held up, pulled up before 4 out.

EMPIRE LEVANT (USA) ran poorly, never really recovering after belting the fourth.