CHELTENHAM 14:00

Non Runners: FOXTAIL HILL (IRE), VANITEUX (FR). Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +86 yds

Time: 5m 31.3s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 62.7s (96%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 99.9%

Rock-solid handicap form with the trio at the top of the weights - who finished first, second and third in this race last season - running up to their best and completing the frame behind a second-season chaser that improved starting out for a new yard; Village Vic set a sound gallop under worsening conditions and, if anything, a patient ride was a slight advantage.

SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) was a big price but proved better than ever to come out on top on first outing since leaving Colin Bowe after 5 months off, suited by the emphasis on stamina back down in trip and also seen to advantage under a patient ride, though still value for a decidedly smart effort; held up, headway tenth, shaken up after 3 out, led before next, stayed on well.

VILLAGE VIC (IRE) who won this race last year, ran another cracker to make it 3 placed efforts in C&D handicaps this season, as usual attacking from the front and finding only one too good, going down fighting; made running, jumped boldly, ridden when headed before 2 out, stuck to task.

TOP GAMBLE (IRE) back in a tongue strap, ran up to best with his comeback behind him, needing no excuses under a big weight, the form shown every bit as good as that which saw him win graded races last season; taken wide (which seemed neither an advantage nor a disadvantage), patiently ridden, headway 4 out, third next, kept on.

TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) again ran well even though leaving the impression 3m might be more his trip nowadays, found wanting for a bit of pace late; prominent, not quicken before 3 out, kept on.

THOMAS CRAPPER is back on his last winning mark and shaped encouragingly after 8 weeks off, better the distance beaten suggests having perhaps made his move a bit more quickly than ideal; held up, rapid headway early final circuit, second when shaken up 3 out, no extra between last 2; he can't be ruled out next time, especially in something a bit easier.

QUITE BY CHANCE wasn't in the same form as last time, closely matched with the runner-up judged on that; mid-division, lost place seventh, struggling eleventh, merely plugged on.

THOMAS BROWN again ran below form; handy, lost place when pushed along before eighth, in touch again 5 out, mistake there, weakened.

HENRI PARRY MORGAN in first-time visor, had the pace to cope with the shorter trip and was in the process of running well when departing, clearly well handicapped and no exaggeration to suggest that he might've won, though it's obviously a concern that he's failed to complete on 3 of his last 4 starts; mid-division, travelled smoothly, in touch eighth, close up when fell 4 out.

SOLAR IMPULSE (FR) without his usual equipment, fared no better, no promise to take from 3 runs since joining a yard that rarely has a winner; dropped out, brief headway 4 out, soon beaten.

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) went with no obvious encouragement dropped to the wrong trip but will fall in the weights a bit more and is always going to warrant a market check given connections; held up, mistake first, shaken up fourth, labouring badly early final circuit.

AS DE MEE (FR) ran badly, perhaps lacking the battling qualities the race demanded; prominent, lost place eleventh, behind when blundered 5 out.