CHELTENHAM 13:25

Non Runners: CRUCIAL ROLE. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +95 yds

Time: 5m 10.9s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 54.2s (104.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A quartet that looked very closely matched and with a level of ability up to the standard for the race, so even though the best backed of them ran no race at all and another collected nearly a full set of fences to take home, the pair that fought out the finish deserved to be viewed positively, the runner-up looking sure to win at the last, but overhauled by a game rival on the run-in; it was run at a much steadier pace than the following handicap and, all things considered, the overall time wasn't at all bad.

LOSTINTRANSLATION (IRE) resumed progress, getting off the mark over fences at the third attempt with no La Bague Au Roi in the field this time, showing a really good attitude to snatch victory from what looked certain defeat, pleasing too that his jumping was notably secure; led, jumped soundly, travelled well, headed before 2 out, not quicken, rallied after last, stayed on to lead again final 100 yds, ridden out; he's a really likeable type and is making up into a very smart chaser, sure to continue to progress, whether kept to this sort of trip or upped to 3m.

DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) upped in trip, fully confirmed the form shown at Exeter, coping much better with the fences here than he had first time and emerging with plenty of credit, given he was conceding 3 lb to the winner, for all that he looked certain to win at one point (traded at 1.01); held up, went second fifth, led before 2 out, looked in control when 2 lengths up last, ridden run-in, kept on, headed final 100 yds; he wasn't obviously found wanting for stamina, and the Golden Miller is probably the best option so far as the Festival is concerned, though there may be a temptation to drop back to 2m for the Arkle.

BLACK OP (IRE) ran to a similar level as on his chasing debut, which says much for his ability because his jumping was next to hopeless and meant he could never land a blow; jumped poorly, travelled well, close up when mistake first, lost second fifth, crept closer briefly 2 out, not quicken; he'd be an obvious candidate for a return to hurdling, no surprise if he's able to make an impact at graded level, either, given the way he travelled through this despite the mistakes.

ON THE BLIND SIDE (IRE) had won his first 3 starts over hurdles before flopping when a short-priced favourite for the Mersey (won by Black Op from Lostintranslation), given a breathing operation since and the best backed of these on his chasing debut, but he flopped again, after 9 months off, suggesting there is still a problem; in rear, off the bridle long way out, mistake eighth, tailed off after.