LUDLOW 14:50

All 11 ran. Fences: 19.

Time: 6m 7.9s Closing Sectional: (2.18f): 33.9s (98.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 99%

This was an open handicap on paper, the market reflective of that, but in event it didn’t prove quite as competitive, a number let down by their jumping, victory going to one of the most experienced chasers in the line-up; the pace was sound.

TONY STAR (FR) returned to form with a recent hurdles outing under his belt, belatedly getting off the mark in this sphere, taking advantage of having slipped in the weights, travelling with a lot more zest than is often the case and seeing things out considerably better than on his previous attempt at this sort of trip, a largely blemish-free round of jumping another contributory factor; prominent, hit thirteenth, led 3 out, finished well; likely to remain of interest from a handicapping perspective, but can't be guaranteed to back up/build on this.

THEATRE QUEEN (IRE) has her quirks, refusing to race at Taunton last month and having to be led-in here, but she has clearly been allotted a competitive mark, running well in a first-time hood (replacing cheekpieces and tongue strap); held up, crept closer third, blundered eighth, upsides from fourteenth, not fluent 5 out, hung left run-in, kept on.

ART PROFESSOR (IRE) stepped up on his chasing debut 5 weeks earlier, the trip seemingly within range, well treated on hurdles form, though he didn't exactly shape like a winner in waiting; handy, untidy seventh, lost place when slow twelfth, rallied approaching 4 out, one paced.

MOORLANDS MIST tongue tied after 11 weeks off, was well backed (hurdles winner from this mark), but failed to make the improvement anticipated from first to second chase start, the way he went through the race raising questions over his temperament; in touch, inclined to jump left, lost place fourth, reminders next, rallied briefly approaching 4 out, plugged on; became disappointing over hurdles and has something to prove at present.

CALL ME VIC (IRE) lightly raced for his age, was unable to confirm the promise/form of Wincanton, faced with competition up front, his profile over fences decidedly patchy; pressed leader, lost place thirteenth, ridden when hit 3 out, faded.

LOOKSLIKERAINTED (IRE) shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, in the firing line for a long way under a positive ride, though jumping issues are a recurring theme, again lacking fluency despite the return to a right-handed track; led, went with enthusiasm, headed when jumped right and blundered 4 out, weakened.

WHISKY YANKEE (IRE) appealed as a potential improver, back up markedly in trip having been considerately handled on chasing bow, but he was weak in the market fitted with a first-time tongue strap and ran accordingly; in rear, hit fourth and generally jumped ponderously (as on debut), labouring approaching 4 out.

LIKE MINDED again ran below form; patiently ridden, beaten approaching 4 out.

THE MUSICAL GUY (IRE) ran poorly, reverting to type with a series of errors; waited with, made mistakes, lost touch 5 out.

SPEEDY TUNES (IRE) might be a former point winner, but has yet to show any aptitude for chasing under Rules, his overall well-being just as much of a concern; mid-field, lost place when mistake sixth, struggling some way out.

HARD TO SWALLOW (IRE) offered little following on from a fall at Bangor in November, the promise of his chasing debut fading fast; mid-division, lost place when baulked twelfth, jumping went to pieces thereafter, beaten when hit 5 out.