KEMPTON PARK 15:35

All 13 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +9 yds

Time: 5m 56.2s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 37.1s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.8%

A valuable contest that was unsurprisngly competitive and it appeals as solid top-end handicap form; they went a sound pace and there was no major tactical advantage, whilst there was only one faller and that caused no more than minor interference to a couple.

PILGRIMS BAY (IRE) is a tricky customer but he's talented and has improved in this first season over fences/with Neil Mulholland, better than ever to win this valuable prize up in trip, the nature of the race suiting him, with a good gallop and plenty of runners to keep him interested, plus it was an excellent ride by James Best; dropped out, travelled powerfully, hit seventh, crept closer thirteenth, good progress 4 out, loomed up 2 out but held together, jumped on last and was just pushed out; he's never going to be one for maximum faith but he should remain competitive.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) has got over his mid-season blip since the hood was fitted and progressed again to go close from a 6 lb higher mark than that he'd won off over C&D 8 weeks ago; raced wide, tracked pace, travelled well, led twelfth, headed next, upsides when blundered 3 out, edged ahead approaching last, headed there, kept on; he'll continue to give a good account.

THEATRE GUIDE (IRE) has little in hand from his present mark, 14 lb higher than when winning this race 12 months ago, but it was a good effort in defeat, confirming impressions from last time that he remains in top form; chased leaders, hampered ninth, led thirteenth, joined 3 out, headed approaching last, one paced.

ASO (FR) stayed the 3f longer trip under conditions that didn't place the emphasis completely on stamina and wasted no time getting back on track, leaving the impression that he should have finished closer too; in rear, still plenty to do 3 out, driven between last 2, stayed on, left with too much to do; he's had a good season in top-end handicaps, including a couple of really good efforts at Cheltenham, and he should be competitive back there next month.

BALLYKAN has work to do from present mark having gone up the weights for a couple of summer wins but has held his form well this term and typically gave his running after 4 months off; in touch, went handy 5 out, pushed along between 4 out and 3 out, one paced from 2 out; it could be a plus that he's fresh for the spring.

THREE MUSKETEERS (IRE) barely stayed the 3f longer trip but was by no means disgraced and remains in good form; held up, mistake thirteenth, headway under pressure 3 out, jumped right there, no extra run-in.

FINGERONTHESWITCH (IRE) struggled with a 13 lb rise in the weights for winning a weak race at Wetherby, this altogether more competitive; held up, some headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, not unduly punished once held.

ANNACOTTY (IRE) is yet to fire this season but at least fared a little better here and is edging down the weights (only 3 lb above last winning mark and likely to drop again); prominent, left in front ninth, headed twelfth, hit 5 out, lost touch soon after; it wouldn't be a shock if he bounced back at the Cheltenham Festival given his record at the track.

IRISH SAINT (FR) didn't get home and doesn't stay this far despite being campaigned at around 3m all season; raced wide, mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, mistake next, tied up; there's no question that he's potentially well treated and will benefit from return to around 2½m.

OPENING BATSMAN (IRE) again ran below form and is more miss than hit these days; held up, raced freely, driven 4 out, never landed a blow.

VIVA STEVE (IRE) disappointed back down in trip; prominent, not fluent 5 out, weakened before 3 out.

COCKTAILS AT DAWN led until he fell heavily at the ninth; he is prone to jumping errors.

TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) went wrong after the second and was pulled up sharply.