HAYDOCK PARK 15:00

All 9 ran. Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 13.85s

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99.6%

This was the tenth running of this Grade 1 staying chase and it is a race that seems to have become increasingly significant in the calendar, again attracting a larger field and more than 1 or 2 big names, as tended to be the case in the years of Kauto Star and Imperial Commander, 5 of the 9 in this year's renewal rated as top class, and even though Cue Card wasn't at his best it still required a big performance from Silviniaco Conti to win this for the second time; the gallop was sound from the outset and on heavy ground it was a proper test of stamina, more so than the corresponding race 12 months ago.

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) needed the Charlie Hall to put him spot on, connections presumably having learnt something from last year's first-time-out defeat in this race, whilst the fitting of cheekpieces seemed to help with his focus too, not wayward or idle in the finish like he had been in the Cheltenham Gold Cup/Aintree Bowl back in the spring, and he performed close to his best to win this Grade 1 for the second time, his fourth win in total at the top level; he was always prominent and travelled and jumped well, chased the leader (Cue Card) after ninth and led himself approaching 4 out before tackled by Menorah at the second last, digging deep under pressure then and essentially outstaying the runner-up in what was a fairly gruelling race; he's been one of the top staying chasers for the last 3 years now, with less blips on his profile than most of the others that fall into that category, and he looks certain to make a bold bid to follow up last year's King George win next month.

MENORAH (IRE) is in the form of his life, impressive in the Charlie Hall 3 weeks ago, and although defeated by an on-song Silviniaco Conti this was a career-best effort, not only on ratings but in all aspects of the performance too, his jumping once again holding up well, whilst he also proved his effectiveness faced with a stiff test over this far; patiently ridden, travelled smoothly, headway eleventh, challenged 2 out, still every chance at the last, seen off on run-in by a stronger stayer but kept on himself and remained clear of the remainder; he ran no sort of race in last year's King George but that was on his reappearance and he'll clearly go into that race this season in much better shape and with stronger claims.

DYNASTE (FR) who was refitted with a tongue strap, has an excellent record when fresh over the years but, with the King George in mind, it's possible that something was left to work on after 8 months off this time around, remembering that he was laboured (reportedly lame) at Kempton last year after a hard race here, and, particularly if that is the case, then this was a perfectly satisfactory return; mid-field, tracked pace tenth, ridden 3 out, soon held by front pair and proved one paced; it's not surprising that he drifted in the betting in most places for what looks set to be a competitive King George but he still rates amongst the top staying chasers and is capable of making his presence felt at a track where he was so impressive in the Feltham as a novice.

CUE CARD has had setbacks since defeating Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti in this corresponding race in 2013, suffering a pelvic fracture and having had a breathing operation, and he fell way short in his bid to follow up, failing to come on appreciably from his reappearance, admittedly under more testing conditions than 12 months ago that possibly placed the emphasis too much on stamina, whilst a positive ride and some less-than-fluent jumping on the final circuit didn't help, either; made running, not fluent from tenth once harried for the lead, headed approaching 4 out, began to wander and weakened between last two; it's a bit too soon to say for certain that he doesn't retain his ability, with the other possible excuses here, but the doubts are obviously creeping in and he does have it to prove now.

THE GIANT BOLSTER had the visor back on after a lacklustre reappearance in the Charlie Hall, with no hood this time, and returned to form, the first time for a long while that he's run his race away from Cheltenham; chased leader, outpaced 4 out, plugged on, no match for principals.

MEDERMIT (FR) is no longer the top-class chaser that he was in his prime, not quite up to competing in Grade 1 company these days, but wasn't disgraced and ought to have more realistic targets over the course of the season, perhaps even back down in trip (very best form was achieved up to 21f); held up, progress eleventh, chased leaders 5 out, left behind from next.

DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) faced a stiff task and would have found this too much of a test of stamina as well; raced off the pace, struggling badly 5 out, behind when unseated rider last.

TAQUIN DU SEUIL (FR) fitted with cheekpieces, was strong in the betting after an encouraging run in the Charlie Hall only to disappoint, let down by his jumping from halfway but going out tamely even so; in touch, made mistakes after halfway, already weakening when not fluent thirteenth, pulled up after next, possibly amiss.

HARRY TOPPER was backed at long odds as a result of increasingly testing conditions but ran poorly after 8 months off; chased leaders, mistake seventh, lost place before tenth, labouring badly thirteenth, pulled up before 4 out; he's a high-class stayer on his day but has become hard to catch right.