NEWTON ABBOT 15:55

All 5 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 5m 17s

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.2%

A recently introduced contest that was rewarded with a small but select field, a quintet of smart chasers making their return to action, the line up headed by last season’s Cheltenham Festival winner Taquin du Seuil; in event, the race rather fell apart as the tempo increased on the final circuit, Wonderful Charm rallying to overhaul the perennial bridesmaid that is Colour Squadron, the latter rather throwing away a gilt-edged opportunity to get off the mark in this sphere.

WONDERFUL CHARM (FR) wasn't at his best in Grade-1 company last spring, but got back on track by making a winning reappearance, taking advantage of the runner-up's shortcomings to get on top late on; in touch, outpaced approaching eleventh, rallied to chase leader from 4 out, led approaching last, finished well; there was a clear opportunistic element to this performance, but this should provide a perfect springboard towards future assignments, well worth another try at 3m somewhere down the line.

COLOUR SQUADRON (IRE) runner-up in the Byrne Group Plate when last seen, was favoured by the weights and handed a clear advantage from 5 out, but almost certainly made his move too soon following that incident and paid the price late on; tracked pace, went with enthusiasm, led approaching eleventh, left clear 5 out, looked in control 3 out, but not fluent there and closed down approaching next, headed approaching last, carried head awkwardly, one paced; a quirky sort, he was left in front earlier than ideal and it would be no surprise were he once again competitive in some of the biggest handicaps this season, that type of scenario playing more to this strengths.

TAQUIN DU SEUIL (FR) signed off an impressive novice campaign with a Grade-1 victory at the Cheltenham Festival, but having been noticeably easy to back, proved disappointing after 7 months off, his jumping lacking fluency, the fact he was hampered by the fall of Double Ross a side issue on the day; in touch, not settle fully, made a number of niggly mistakes, crept closer briefly tenth, hampered next, outpaced soon after, beaten when untidy 3 out; wasn't knocked about when held and and will presumably strip a good deal fitter next time.

BLACK THUNDER (FR) was below form after 7 months off, though shouldn't be judged too harshly on this, this trip on a sharp track always likely to be sharper than ideal and he shaped accordingly, the first in trouble, losing his prominent pitch as the pace began to lift; close up, lost place and short of room tenth, ridden when hampered next, beaten soon after; will find this run serving a purpose, a return to 3m+ in his favour.

DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) progressed into a smart and consistent chaser last season and this return is easily forgiven; led, went with zest, narrowly headed when baulked by Colour Squadron and fell eleventh.