KELSO 15:00

Non Runners: FEDERICI, CHAPEL STILE (IRE). Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +28 yds

Time: 6m 30.4s Closing Sectional: (4.2f): 67.8s (102.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.4%

No reason to believe that the useful pair who fought out the finish weren't somewhere near their best, conditions sufficiently testing for the emphasis to be firmly on stamina at the trip.

BIG RIVER (IRE) was back to his best in a small field around here (6 of 7 career successes at Kelso and all 3 chase wins), his jumping under less pressure, seen to much better advantage as a result; patiently ridden, avoided mistakes, shaken up after 4 out, headway to lead under pressure 2 out, dug deep; he'll probably be back here next month for the minor event he won a couple of seasons ago and, in all likelihood, that'll be another race that sees him to good advantage.

AMI DESBOIS (FR) after 8 weeks off, returned to form, no surprise if he heads for the Masters at Sandown next, a race in which he finished a close second last season; close up, upsides 5 out, went on approaching 3 out, headed next, rallied well run-in.

NEVERUSHACON (IRE) shaped as if still in good form without seeing things out so well as seemed likely given the way he moved for a long way; handy, travelled smoothly, every chance 2 out, faltered run-in.

SLANELOUGH (IRE) was without his usual headgear and not disgraced, out again just a fortnight after Doncaster; tracked pace, not fluent sixth, thirteenth, hit 4 out, shaken up after, no extra approaching 2 out.

JUSTFORJAMES (IRE) ran no sort of race, no coincidence that his best efforts over fences have been achieved at tracks with easy fences, his jumping again sloppy here; raced well off the pace, jumped none too fluently, lost touch from tenth.

KNOCKOURA (IRE) had more on his plate in this company after another 7 lb rise but the way he checked out suggested that all probably wasn't well on the day; made running, headed approaching 3 out, soon done with.