MARKET RASEN 14:40

All 6 ran. Fences: 14. Race Distance Adjustment: +13 yds

Time: 5m 41.2s Closing Sectional: (2.3f): 39.9s (91.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.9%

A high-quality contest that brought together, amongst others, a couple of smart second-season chasers in Three Musketeers and King’s Odyssey as well as the exciting novice Kilcrea Vale, who was sent off a strong favourite in receipt of 7 lb from that pair; visibility wasn’t great, it must be said, but it was clear enough to see that it was a well-run race and, although others underperformed, the first 2 both put up noteworthy performances to pull clear, having it between themselves from a long way out.

THREE MUSKETEERS (IRE) arrived with a point to prove having failed to meet expectations on either previous outing this season but, back on softer ground and with cheekpieces fitted, he bounced back and proved at least as good as ever, no easy take giving weight to a promising, talented rival like Kilcrea Vale, and although the winning margin was only 3 lengths he did seem in command from some way out; prominent, not always fluent but went with zest, led 5 out, pressed on end of the back straight, driven after 3 out, kept going well; he’ll stay 3m.

KILCREA VALE (IRE) has made a promising start to life over fences, losing little in defeat to an on-song Three Musketeers here, worth focusing more on the distance back to the rest, and being involved in a demanding, well-run race like this against quality, experienced rivals can surely only help with his development; mid-division, jumped fine, pushed along 5 out, went second at the next, stuck to task but could make no further impression on winner from after the second last; he remains open to improvement and is likely to be competitive in graded novices.

KING'S ODYSSEY (IRE) reportedly suffered a small setback after his fall last time and had missed some work as a result, so this run was probably needed to some extent even though he’d been off only 6 weeks; chased leaders, pushed along 5 out, left behind after the next, not unduly punished; he’d shaped like he was still on a fair mark at Cheltenham and this will perhaps put him spot on for a crack at another big handicap.

BLAKEMOUNT (IRE) faced a stiff task and it showed in a well-run race; tracked pace, off the bridle long way out, mistake fifth, left behind 4 out, plugged on.

HESTER FLEMEN (IRE) is clearly hard to train, off another 13 months since a winning chasing debut, this just her fourth outing under Rules at the age of 9, possibly needing it, but it was a stiff task as well; made running, headed 5 out, weakened after next, not persevered with once held; her next run should reveal more as to where she’s at.

CUSHEEN BRIDGE (IRE) was out of his depth but shaped as if amiss, anyway, soon behind and pulled up after the seventh.