ASCOT 15:00

All 5 ran. Fences: 13.

Time: 4m 9.14s

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A racing comeback can rarely have been discussed in such detail or at such length as that of the outstanding chaser Sprinter Sacre, who had had barely half a race in the last 20 months, and though he faced 2 last-time-out Grade 1 winners and a veteran regular at this level, he had the ability to beat them comfortably; had, but no longer has, on this evidence, still competitive at Grade 1 level and with a decent chance of regaining the Champion Chase crown, but clearly not invincible, Dodging Bullets in beating him taking a further stride forward and staking a serious claim in his own right for top honours come March, the way the pair saw off the third and fourth pretty impressive.

DODGING BULLETS further enhanced his reputation with another gritty victory at this level, showing his best form yet, a different proposition in a finish for the fitting of a tongue strap; waited with, travelled well, pushed along 3 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, pushed out; incidentally, not for the first time, he was on his toes beforehand, but that clearly doesn't hinder his performance; he heads to the Champion Chase on the back of 2 Grade 1 successes, and is clearly a serious contender, though may struggle to confirm placings with the runner-up.

SPRINTER SACRE (FR) one of the outstanding chasers of the century, who completed a famous Grade 1 hat-trick at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown in 2013, had been seen just once since (pulled up at halfway with an irregular heartbeat), at Kempton 13 months ago, and although he looked on good terms with himself and was strong in the market, he ran as if found out by the testing conditions in a well-run race, shaping with plenty of encouragement but quickly put in his place late on, spared anything like a hard race; held up, travelled strongly, mistake second, chased leader 3 out, led briefly after 2 out, not quicken last, not given at all a hard time; he was reported to have suffered a minor bleed, but connections were of the view that that had had no impact on his performance, and, provided he can see his race out better with this under his belt, he holds a good chance of reversing placings with the winner in the Champion Chase.

TWINLIGHT (FR) ran creditably in the end, though essentially outclassed as the leader pressed on climbing to the straight, lacking the class to go with the first 2 in pursuit; chased leader until ninth, outpaced next, kept on after 2 out to take third run-in; he's not going to be easy to place with a Grade 1 penalty.

SOMERSBY (IRE) had won this in 2012 and been second last year, but he just wasn't at his best this time, his chance compromised by a sloppy round of jumping; led, made mistakes, driven after 3 out, mistake and headed next, third and beaten when blundered last, eased; his effort last time showed he's still a high-class chaser on his day.

GREY GOLD (IRE) was well held after 8 weeks off, facing a stiff task, much more patiently ridden than usual; in rear, lost touch ninth.