SANDOWN PARK 15:00

All 10 ran. Fences: 12.

Time: 4m 1.6s

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100.6%

With the previous 2 winners of this race, Sire de Grugy and Sprinter Sacre, on the sidelines, there was a rare double-figure field and an unusually open market for the first Grade 1 2m chase of the season, the winner showing improved form to deny the previous year's runner-up Somersby, the below-par efforts of the Haldon Gold Cup first 2 meaning the race took a little less winning than it might, the form below standard for the race; the race was marred by a fatal injury to the stalwart Oscar Whisky, a fixture at this level over hurdles and fences for the last 5 seasons.

DODGING BULLETS built significantly on his reappearance run, this a high-class effort, crucially seeing the race out much better than he had at Cheltenham, the refitting of a tongue strap possibly key; held up, travelled well, good progress eighth, led under pressure before last, kept on well; going the right way, but still some way short of standard required to win an average Champion Chase, this performance a bit below the level achieved in winning all recent runnings of the Tingle Creek.

SOMERSBY (IRE) ran at least as well as last time, jumping better than previously this season, just lacking the pace of the winner late on, a more attacking ride seeming to suit him; pressed leader, led fourth, ridden eighth, pressed on end of back straight, headed before last, kept on.

HINTERLAND (FR) in first-time hood, bounced back to form, better than ever indeed, less headstrong than is often the case, reportedly having had a different training regime since bleeding on his return; held up, travelled well, mistake second, good progress before 2 out, kept on; remains to be seen whether he can build on this, but arguable that he would have finished closer had his effort begun sooner, so may be more to come.

BALDER SUCCES (FR) well backed, wasn't disgraced, especially considering the severity of a late mistake, a similar scenario to at Exeter; waited with, headway eighth, hit tenth, ridden in third when clouted 2 out, one paced.

THIRD INTENTION (IRE) without a tongue strap for once, ran respectably, back up in grade, lacking the pace, willingness and ability to land a blow at this level; held up, blundered eighth, shaken up end of back straight, stayed on after 2 out, never on terms.

WILLIAM'S WISHES (IRE) back over fences, caught the eye, doing enough to suggest he retains a lot of his ability, this just his third start since 2012/13; held up, pushed along before 2 out, late headway, no chance with principals; one to bear in mind, particularly back in handicap company over fences.

GOD'S OWN (IRE) looked much better in himself than at Exeter but ironically wasn't in anything like the same form, his jumping a significant factor in that; prominent, hit first, mistake tenth, outpaced after, beaten when clouted 2 out, eased; remains a leading candidate for the Arkle should connections pursue that route, but clearly he needs to show this was just a blip.

PEPITE ROSE (FR) again failed to show her form, fitness not an issue this time, though she wasn't the only runner from her yard at this meeting who tied up quite badly in the closing stages; prominent, pushed along approaching straight, weakened soon after.

VUKOVAR (FR) less exposed than rest, was well held after 9 months off, his form as a novice hard to weigh up, this a stiffish task but less encouraging than the market suggested it might be, given he looked in good shape beforehand; disputed lead, mistake ninth, bad mistake tenth, weakened before next; still early days with him and he may yet come good.

OSCAR WHISKY (IRE) tackling 2m for the first time over fences, met a sad end; waited with, fell sixth, fatally injured; he's been a grand servant at the highest level for connections, both over hurdles and fences, and whatever his shortcomings as a jumper of fences, he could never be faulted for his willingness and consistency.