CHELTENHAM 15:00 4v1l1r

Non Runners: LE PATRIOTE (FR), BRIANSTORM (IRE). Hurdles: 5. Race Distance Adjustment: +69 yds

Time: 3m 47.2s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 57.7s (96.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 127%, Betfair SP 102.1%

This meeting has often been influenced by the effects of rain but it was low sun that had the biggest impact on this and the following hurdle race on the card, a normally red-hot handicap reduced to something far less satisfactory due to the predictably false pace caused by the omission of the flight in the straight, causing a long run to the first and long run from the 'last'; that said, it's hard to quibble with the identity of any of those that made up the group of 5 that had got away by the end, comprising as they did a pair of improvers, a second-season hurdler, a past winner and a former Fred Winter third.

NIETZSCHE confirmed the positives of a recent second on the Flat, recapturing the sort of form that had seen him just lose out in the Fred Winter here in 2017 (4 lb lower here despite running from 3 lb out of weights), a first-time tongue strap and good-value claimer both likely catalysts, though his turn of foot (still effective around 1½m on the level) counted for a good deal as well given how it unfolded; mid-field, good progress usual 3 out, edged ahead last, kicked on home turn, tackled well inside final 1f, held on gamely.

SILVER STREAK (IRE) underlined his status as one of the most progressive 2-milers around, shaping extremely well as he found only one too good in his bid for a famous major handicap hat-trick, coming from that bit further back than a winner who'd been given a big chance by the handicapper, some effort all things considered; patiently ridden, off pace still 2 out, smooth headway soon after last, pressed leader well inside final 1f, held only near finish; on the down side, he may not get many more chances to run away from testing ground as the winter nears, speed-favouring conditions vital to him.

OLD GUARD retains all the ability/enthusiasm he had when landing this in 2015, though he needs more of test at the trip these days, stepping back fully 1m from Wetherby shining through, refitted cheekpieces not enough of a livener; mid-field, lost ground second, outpaced usual 3 out, rallied well straight, went third final 100 yds.

VERDANA BLUE (IRE) had her winning run ended but not due to the effects of a further 5-lb penalty, instead luck deserting her in a messy race, clearly not seen to best effect; patiently ridden, smooth headway 2 out, yet to be asked for effort when denied a run soon after last, had to wait for gap again 1f out, stayed on well inside final 1f, finished with running left.

WESTERN RYDER (IRE) was strong in the betting and shaped well sent handicapping after 7 months off, his opening mark a good one judged on how he went for a long way, perhaps paying for early exuberance following the time off, certainly not the sort for weak finishes; prominent, took strong hold, pressed leader last, still third 1f out, tied up and lost 2 more positions late on.

NOT THAT FUISSE (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade (1 lb out of weights) and beat more than perhaps expected, shaping as if better than his bare form might make him look for all he had the aid of a big claim; raced off the pace, outpaced before 2 out, headway when forced to switch approaching final 1f, never nearer.

MOHAAYED is better judged on reappearance form, enough late headway to think he's still in good nick; settled mid-field out wide, lost ground before 2 out, struggling when hampered next, kept on again late on.

NUBE NEGRA (SPA) wasn't so eye-catching as in the Fred Winter here in the spring but still shaped better than the bare result, possibly needing the run more than anticipated, also asked to make a lot of ground from rear into a quickening gallop; held up, still plenty to do usual 3 out, smooth headway last, driven until straight, not sustain effort; he'd undergone a breathing operation since last seen, mind.

STORM RISING (IRE) was probably just found out in better company from a reassessed mark a stone higher, though this was his third appearance in little more than as many weeks; in touch, chased leader before 2 out, ridden soon after, left behind entering straight.

MAN OF PLENTY is best excused this run, not only 3 lb 'wrong' at the weights and kept to 2m but also suffering ill-luck in running; patiently ridden, effort when badly hampered usual 3 out, carried head bit awkwardly straight, never on .

CHARLI PARCS (FR) extended a losing run dating back to his British debut, albeit with lack of fitness probably an issue after 7 months off; mid-field, not fluent first, shaken up usual 2 out, faded final 1f.

MAD JACK MYTTON (IRE) was found out - for ability and willing - in better company, no superb claimer to reduce the burden this time, either; led briefly early, dropped away quickly 2 out, looked none too keen.

EQUUS AMADEUS (IRE) faced a stiffer task in this grade of handicap from 4 lb higher, not the occasion on which to judge any discernible benefit from a breathing operation; tracked pace until last, held when snatched up approaching straight.

MIDNIGHT SHADOW produced a rare below-par effort; prominent, mistake third, outpaced usual 2 out.

VADO FORTE (FR) was too lit up with a hood surprisingly missing, normally taken patiently but ending up in front; soon led, raced freely, headed usual 2 out, brushed aside.

CAIUS MARCIUS (IRE) up in grade, found run of good form coming to a halt; close up until 3 out, outpaced before next, behind last.

DEYRANN DE CARJAC (FR) failed to complete; patiently ridden, yet to be asked for full effort when fell usual 3 out, well before the race had really started to develop.

IRISH ROE (IRE) failed to complete in first-time cheekpieces; held up, some headway out wide usual 3 out, fell last, like Deyrann de Carjac coming down too far out to suggest a likely outcome.