CHELTENHAM 13:30 39av

All 12 ran. Fences: 21. Race Distance Adjustment: +150 yds

Time: 6m 40.8s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 58.95s (97.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 102%

A good-quality handicap chase but it wasn't quite as competitive as it might have been, plenty either let down by their jumping or simply not firing on the day, and although the first 2 are well established in this type of race they're hardly horses with a lot in hand of their respective marks; that said, the third did shape with plenty of encouragement.

THEATRE GUIDE (IRE) found the Hennessy too hot this year but this was less competitive and he came out on top in first-time blinkers, producing a career-best effort to overcome a mark 10 lb higher than for his last win; in touch, travelled well, close up 3 out, third when switched between last 2, kept on well, led on line; he's likely to take his chance in the Welsh Grand National but didn't convince with his stamina when tried over that sort of trip in the spring.

PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) had probably had this race as a specific target, back at a track where he's built up an excellent record, and he proved better than ever to all but win here for the third time, much fitter for reappearance and also helped by first-time cheekpieces; made running, jumped soundly, ridden before 5 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied well, led again run-in, headed on line; he did have a hard race and his rider picked up a 15-day whip ban.

BALLY LONGFORD (IRE) shaped well in first-time tongue strap on only his second start for this stable, upped markedly in trip having run with credit over 2m here last month, and ultimately didn't stay after looking like the winner; tracked pace, travelled strongly, mistake 4 out, led approaching 2 out, drew clear briefly but faltered after the last, headed approaching final 100 yds and finished tired; he's likely to prove best up to 3m on this evidence, certainly on a stiff track.

A GOOD SKIN (IRE) again ran respectably but doesn't seem to be firing on all cylinders just now, conditions here something like his optimum yet the first 3 left him behind quite readily; raced wide, handy, outpaced after 4 out, plugged on.

SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) stepped up on reappearance run, still not at his best, but is perhaps working his way back gradually this season and his mark is likely to edge down a little more ahead of next time; held up, ridden when hampered 4 out, some headway next, kept on but never dangerous.

UN ACE (FR) has slipped in the weights and took a step back in the right direction; mid-division, travelled well, tracked pace 4 out, pecked 3 out, left behind before next, one paced; he's possibly not 100% straightforward, a while now without a win, but all of his very best form is at shorter trips and a drop back is certainly worth trying.

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) back over fences and with headgear refitted, again ran below form but it'd be no surprise if he had bigger targets for later in the season, perhaps one of the Festival handicaps, and he's becoming well treated again; tracked pace, lost place when blundered fifteenth, struggling 5 out, weakened.

SOUTHFIELD THEATRE (IRE) had been dealt with harshly enough, up 7 lb for the Badger Ales which he'd have won but for a last-fence fall, but he went backwards from that regardless of the rise in the weights; raced wide, chased leaders, hit ninth, labouring sixteenth, tailed off.

COGRY is becoming more and more error-prone and again failed to complete; raced off the pace, fell heavily fifteenth, too far out to suggest outcome.

OUT SAM was badly let down by jumping even before falling heavily 5 out, the writing on the wall early after a bad mistake at the second fence, then he lost his place with another error at the seventh; he is a sketchy jumper but getting him back on a track with easier fences might well help.

REGAL ENCORE (IRE) can have this run overlooked; in rear, hampered fifteenth, badly hampered 5 out, pulled up.

BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) was pulled up soon after being badly hampered 5 out, but was already struggling at the time, and reportedly bled.