LUDLOW 14:40

All 8 ran. Fences: 13.

Time: 4m 2.1s

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.2%

One-sided in the event, improving 5-y-o Vivaccio well ahead of the rest in handicapping terms, essentially in control from some way out, admittedly not much to beat.

VIVACCIO (FR) 2 from 2 over fences and all the more impressive this time, looking one who'll progress ahead of his rising mark, in that trademark style of the yard's horses when they get on a roll such as he's embarking on; exuberant without being headstrong, only mistake of note at eighth, when just taking command, shrugged off the threatening runner-up from 4 out, impressive how he poured it on in the straight, able to coast on the run-in; well up to completing hat-trick, 2½m still to explore, a different horse now from when he tried it over hurdles last term.

OYSTER SHELL last time (when refused) possibly a one-off, as otherwise he's been largely consistent at the least, right back on his game here, no chance with this improving winner, but the only one to shake him up at all; mid-field, chased Vivaccio before 4 out, no match for him thereafter but clear of the rest.

URIAH HEEP (FR) might already have shown his best as a chaser, put the Doncaster fall behind him but failed to build on his preceding C&D win; held up, close enough into the home straight, but one paced relative to the first 2, no promise of better despite being in his early days over fences.

BONOBO (IRE) similar conditions and story to chasing debut, fourth behind Vivaccio again, but at least getting more involved this time, close up for a good way, faded from 2 out; type to pull out more at some stage, as he gains in chasing experience.

HIGHWAY CODE (USA) working up his form, better signs here than on jumps return (over hurdles), at least up to a point; soon led, but suddenly headed and dropped back a few places at seventh, no threat thereafter, though plugged on; tricky to evaluate for now, but last season's better (and consistent) form shouldn't be forgotten just yet.

SANDS COVE (IRE) long since looked a candidate for headgear, but cheekpieces did nothing for him this first time, his finish one of a horse just struggling for form for now; mid-division, made only a brief effort, weakened after 4 out.

TEENAGE DREAM (IRE) had some problem, apparent from an early stage, soon uncomfortable, pulled up before sixth.

KITEGEN (IRE) out of sorts, back-to-back failures (pulled up) proof of that, beaten a long way out here.