WINCANTON 14:15 212b4p

All 11 ran. Fences: 21. Race Distance Adjustment: +26 yds

Time: 6m 42.1s Closing Sectional: (2.45f): 40.2s (97%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 101.1%

A handicap which went to the subsequent Reynoldstown winner Copperhead last season and, while Darlac doesn't have quite the same unexposed profile as that horse, he provided the same connections with another impressive victory in the race, a clear career best for all that things did rather disintegrate around him, a sound gallop making for a good test.

DARLAC (FR) attracted and finally put it all together over fences, building on a number of promising efforts (not least when falling in last season's Classic Chase) in some style; taken wide, patiently ridden, travelled well, good progress back straight, jumped on 3 out, soon clear, winning eased down; this did rather fall apart but he seemed to relish chasing a strong pace in a big field, a scenario he's barely encountered thus far.

FORGOT TO ASK (IRE) ran up to his best from a mark which pretty much sums him up; mid-field, headway back straight, left in front 4 out, headed next, left behind by winner straight.

WHAT A MOMENT (IRE) in a change of headgear, continues to underachieve; mid-field, awkward first, outpaced after 5 out, left behind after 3 out.

REALM KEEPER (USA) took a step back in the right direction over a trip that probably stretches him, though he could do with brushing up on his jumping; held up, not always fluent, pushed along after 4 out, dropped away next.

GET ON THE YAGER shaped as if better for the run after 9 months off; prominent, driven after fifteenth, awkward 4 out, faded; he's overdue another try at a marathon trip (third in Midlands National his best recent effort).

CARRICK ROADS (IRE) shouldn't be judged on this, setting a sound gallop and unable to recover from a bad mistake; led, lost place when bad mistake 4 out, weakened before next.

PUTDECASHONTHEDASH (IRE) failed to come on for recent run, hard to recommend at present; in touch, not fluent first, driven before sixteenth, dropped away after 5 out.

BROADCLYST (IRE) was strong in the betting but failed to repeat last effort, possibly finding the race coming too soon, though his profile was patchy last season, too; mid-field, weakened after 4 out.

HUGO 'N TAZ looked very rusty after 9 months off, yet to match the form of his winning stable debut; raced off the pace, off the bridle long way out, struggling fifteenth.

PLANTAGENET again ran poorly; in touch, made mistakes, lost place after thirteenth, pulled up before 5 out.

HES NO TROUBLE (IRE) seems to be going the wrong way; in rear, not always fluent, labouring after fifteenth.