KELSO 14:25

All 4 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 4m 41.6s Closing Sectional: (4.7f): 68.45s (106.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 102.5%

A good-quality contest despite the lack of runners but it was robbed of its competitiveness when Born Survivor fell at the second last, just as he and Cyrus Darius were about to race on from the other two and battle it out.

CYRUS DARIUS was clearly fitter for his comeback run, when not knocked about, and although gifted the race when Born Survivor crashed out there was still enough in this performance and the ease with which he went through the race to think that he probably retains all of his ability after injury kept him off the track for well over a year; held up, travelled strongly, went handy 3 out, going well when left clear 2 out, comfortably; his next target hasn't yet been decided but he's still in the Champion Hurdle, which would obviously be an altogether stiffer task, but it is possible that he's capable of even better than he's shown so far, still very lightly raced since his impressive Grade 2 novice win at Aintree in 2015.

ONE FOR HARRY (IRE) ran well to finish second in this race again, matching the form of his recent handicap win but not in the same class as the winner; close up, outpaced before 2 out, left second there, one paced.

KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) wasn't disgraced but had the run of the race and isn't any better than this nowadays; made running, pushed along 5 out, headed soon after 3 out, one paced.

BORN SURVIVOR (IRE) coped fine with the slightly shorter trip and was in the process of running well when departing at the second last, set for a duel with Cyrus Darius; tracked pace, travelled strongly, led soon after 3 out, yet to be asked for effort when fell 2 out.