KEMPTON PARK 14:05

All 5 ran. Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +23 yds

Time: 4m 58.8s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 39s (93%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 99.4%

This looked a match on paper and was fought out by the high-class pair that dominated the market, though the presence of pace-forcing Speredek meant the run of the race suited the more patiently-ridden winner rather better than his rival, who was deprived of second late on after contesting a strong pace early; it's unlikely the winner had to run quite to his best to prevail.

TOP NOTCH (FR) back over fences, stepped up on his comeback run, confirming he retains all his ability, though the race was run to suit him rather better than his market rival; held up, jumped left, headway twelfth, shaken up straight, led 2 out, kept on, ridden out; he's likely to go next for the Ascot Chase, in which he was below form last season.

BLACK CORTON (FR) got back on track in calmer waters, even though he needed a strong pace to show his form at this shorter trip, rather flattered by his finishing position; soon steadied, pushed along tenth, lost place when mistake eleventh, stayed on after 2 out, took second run-in.

CHARBEL (IRE) wasn't in quite the same form as last time, the presence of Speredek seeming to unsettle him, neither travelling nor jumping so well as at Huntingdon; disputed lead until third, mistake fourth, joined leader again when left 2 lengths in front 4 out, headed 2 out, carried left last, no extra.

HAMMERSLY LAKE (FR) ran no sort of race, continuing to struggle against smart opposition on conditions race terms; held up, labouring eighth.

SPEREDEK (FR) in a change of headgear, back up in trip, would surely have finished well held had he completed, though only just about to be headed when he departed, thankfully getting to his feet after a crashing fall; led, mistake second, clear fifth, reduced advantage eleventh, ridden next, joined when fell heavily 4 out.