ASCOT 15:35

All 7 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +47 yds

Time: 5m 24.8s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 57.9s (100.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 98.6%

Even with a couple of disappointing efforts this was an up-to-scratch Ascot Chase and the upwardly-mobile winner showed top-class form to lower the colours of a horse who's won the race twice; the pace was strong and it made for a proper test of stamina and jumping.

WAITING PATIENTLY (IRE) passed his most demanding test yet with flying colours, putting up a top-class effort to defend his unbeaten record over fences; dropped out, typically travelled well, headway from 5 out, produced to lead before last, driven out; he's a general second favourite for the Ryanair, justifiably so on form, though his connections are reportedly 'not that bothered about Cheltenham' and nominated the King George as a long-term target (they feel he's at his best on soft ground at a flat track), stepping up to 3m unlikely to be an issue judged on his strength at the finish of this well-run race; whether or not he races again this season, what's not in doubt is that Waiting Patiently is a credit to his stable and sure to be a major player wherever we see him next.

CUE CARD probably ran as well as he's capable nowadays, bidding to win this for the second year running and third time overall, always in the firing line in a well-run race and typically going down fighting; soon led, jumped well, headed seventh, led again after eleventh, pushed along home turn, headed before last, kept on; he'll reportedly have another crack at the Gold Cup but his chance of winning that race has surely passed.

FRODON (FR) whose rider was unable to claim, unlike in big handicaps the last twice, didn't repeat his high-class effort from last time but shaped as if still in good nick, looking at home at this level; in touch, took keen hold, settled mid-field early final circuit, went prominent again 5 out, effort before 2 out, weakened before last.

TOP NOTCH (FR) after 9 weeks off, found run of good form coming to a halt, lacking any clear-cut excuses back over the C&D where he was so impressive in the autumn (had Frodon in behind that day); held up, in touch 5 out, effort 3 out, weakened before last.

TRAFFIC FLUIDE (FR) without the headgear this time, continues to struggle at this level; mid-division, outpaced from early final circuit, beaten 5 out.

CONEY ISLAND (IRE) after 8 weeks off, ran so badly that he might've been amiss, or else just failing to cope in a race run at an end-to-end gallop, either way putting a dent in his credentials at this level; raced off the pace, made mistakes, blundered tenth, pulled up soon after.

SPEREDEK (FR) is better judged on previous form, this not really his trip (despite wins over further much earlier in his career), while the effort of forcing a strong pace plus a serious error no doubt took their toll; close up, led seventh, clouted next, headed after eleventh, weakened 4 out.