EXETER 16:10

All 8 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: -18 yds

Time: 6m 3.8s Closing Sectional: (2.15f): 34.4s (94.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 100.5%

A fairly unexposed winner, though the competition comprised horses whose best days are behind them or not easy to foresee, lending itself to a lowish view for now.

THREE FACES WEST (IRE) is still learning as a chaser but it hasn't prevented him improving with each run, getting off the mark in this sphere/for this yard with some authority, only his own errancy over the obstacles preventing him winning by twice as far; prominent, overcame mistakes but went with zest, led before eleventh, pressed on 4 out, in control when blundered next (tends to be rather too bold), won ridden out; can progress into a smart handicapper.

JUST A PAR (IRE) without his usual headgear, belatedly shaped as if retaining all his ability after another 4 months off; in touch, typically raced lazily, lost place circuit out, rallied eleventh, chased leader 4 out, stayed on, barely adequate test; a repeat bid at the bet365 Gold Cup seems a more suitable future target than a mooted Grand National tilt, though his win at Sandown last year was something of a perfect storm, unlikely to fall so kindly again

BERTIE BORU (IRE) did indeed prove himself back in better form after last time but his performance was all rather familiar, doing too much wrong to win a handicap at this trip away from bad ground; dropped out, typically raced lazily, clouted ninth, mistake again thirteenth, progress early in straight, rallied well 4 out, left in frame 2 out, hampered there, finished with running left; he, too, seems likely to head back to Sandown next, and not many will be staying on better.

HOWLONGISAFOOT (IRE) is operating below his best at present, notwithstanding the trip looked to have taken its toll by the end; patiently ridden, pushed along entering straight, left in a place 2 out, no extra.

AZURE FLY (IRE) who usually goes well fresh, was therefore probably beaten by more than lack of fitness after 3 months off, his mark still an issue following his reappearance win; tracked pace, shaken up entering straight, soon done with after 4 out.

GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) with first-time cheekpieces replacing a tongue tie, has lost as much in consistency as he has ability, this disappointing for all he ideally needs more of a test; pressed leader, jumped boldly, shuffled back early final circuit, outpaced from 5 out.

DROP OUT JOE ended up faring little better than on his return from a break, his finishing effort at total odds with those he'd produced for his successive big handicap wins in the autumn; led, headed before eleventh, remained prominent until early in straight, weakened.

WILTON MILAN (IRE) was in the process of running creditably when departing, though he'd almost certainly have been run out of a place given his and Bertie Boru's respective trademark finishing efforts; patiently ridden, smooth headway out wide home turn, ridden before 3 out but no impression and held in third when fell next.