ASCOT 15:35

All 8 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +4 yds

Time: 5m 28.7s Closing Sectional: (3.75f): 60.4s (96.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.7%

A weakish field for a Grade 1, nearly everything lining up with either well-being or the ability to cut it at this level to prove, and the winner was the only one able to answer both questions in the affirmative, for his part looking back to something not far off his best, storming right away in a well-run race

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) didn't have anything as good as Cue Card to worry about 8 weeks on from the King George and got right back on track in gaining his seventh Grade 1, faced with an inferior set of rivals but impressing greatly with how he went about the job, evidently perked up by first-time blinkers and showing form not far off the very best he's managed in recent seasons; close up, jumped well, travelled well, upsides 3 out, went on before next, well clear last, driven right out; he reportedly has the Grand National as a spring target and, while his stamina for that race wouldn't be copper-bottomed, there's no better-handicapped horse in the race after this effort.

DYNASTE (FR) who'd reportedly had a breathing operation since last seen over hurdles 9 weeks earlier, might've finished second but ran below even the pick of this season's form tried in first-time blinkers - it increasingly seems the case that his days as a bona fide top-class chaser may be behind him; mid-division, not always fluent, chased leaders 5 out, left behind 3 out, plugged on, took second flat.

ROYAL REGATTA (IRE) wasn't good enough with the winner stepping up in grade but remains in good form and deserves credit for being the only one that even threatened to make a race of it, essentially shaping second best; made running, went with zest, mistake twelfth, ridden when headed before 2 out, no extra approaching last; he'll continue to run well.

AMORE ALATO a novice who's yet to win over fences, wasn't disgraced, just not nearly good enough even in a weakish Grade 1; raced wide, mid-division, lost place eleventh, pushed along next, well beaten 3 out, plugged on; a return to calmer waters should seem him get off the mark over fences before long

TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) was well held back up in grade, this way tougher than the 2-finisher listed event he won last time; waited with, ridden 4 out, soon beaten.

FLEMENSTAR (IRE) who sweated up beforehand, found run of good form coming to an abrupt halt, turning in a stinker; mid-field, not fluent eighth, lost place eleventh, soon beaten.

MA FILLEULE (FR) second in this race last year, shaped better than a few that completed but went out like a light under pressure and can't really be rated on her very smart best at present, having failed to get close to that level this season; mid-division, in touch twelfth, pushed along 3 out, folded.

SAVELLO (IRE) without a hood and back over fences after 11 weeks off, ran poorly, though probably shouldn't be judged too harshly, having something to find, racing at a less-than-ideal trip and ridden by a jockey unable to claim; held up, raced freely, never involved.