HAYDOCK PARK 15:00

All 4 ran. Fences: 19.

Time: 6m 43.4s Closing Sectional: (2.9f): 42.8s (106.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 97.7%

A disappointing turnout for a Grade One with only 4 runners but at least all of them were running on merit, the 2017 and 2018 winner Bristol De Mai joined by last year's Ryanair winner, Frodon, recent Charlie Hall winner, Ballyoptic, and main market rival Lostintranslation; it developed into a gripping battle between the pair that dominated the market, pulling 25 lengths clear, and the winner deserves extra for coming from last place given the pace set by Bristol De Mai wasn't strong, underlined by a sectional and overall time comparison with the handicap chase won by Crievehill earlier on the card.

LOSTINTRANSLATION (IRE) has made the leap from one of the best novice chasers last season to one of the best chasers around full stop, confirming as much with this flawless, top-class performance to lower the colours of Bristol De Mai who himself had the run of things to some extent, justifying the uber confidence with which Robbie Power rode him, again barely putting a foot wrong over the 19 fences, his fine jumping fast becoming a hallmark; held up, jumped impeccably and travelled strongly, eased through into second place 4 out, jumped on at the last and kept on gamely as the runner-up rallied; the King George will be another step up, in terms of overall competitiveness, but he heads to Kempton thriving and with an outstanding chance.

BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) met with defeat for the first time at Haydock but it was an admirable effort as he attempted to complete a hat-trick of wins in this race, performing close to his very best, admittedly with the run of the race, but he was up against a thriving, very progressive and hugely talented younger rival who didn't put a foot wrong; made running, untidy twelfth, tackled 2 out, headed last, kept on and gave his all; he's in the King George but has been let down by his jumping in that race the last two years (not fluent in 2017 and fell in 2018).

FRODON (FR) really thrived last season but isn't in quite the same form right now, failing to come on for his return and lacking some of the verve and confidence he raced with on every 2018/19 start; prominent, pushed along before 4 out, lost second there, weakened 2 out.

BALLYOPTIC (IRE) had started his season very well but it was a substandard Charlie Hall he won, easy to pick holes in that form as he beat rivals that were all coming back for the season, and in better company here he was put in his place; chased leader, slow fourth, outpaced before 4 out, left behind.