SANDOWN PARK 14:55

Non Runners: ORDINARY WORLD (IRE). Fences: 13.

Time: 3m 54.5s Closing Sectional: (2.75f): 40.3s (103%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 100.3%

With Altior on the sidelines, 5-day entry Douvan not considered ready to return after all when declarations were made - causing a kerfuffle with regard to the ante-post market for the second year running - and his stable companion, 2016 winner Un de Sceaux, after easier pickings at Cork, this clearly wasn't so strong a renewal of the first Grade 1 2m chase of the campaign as it might have been, with Champion Chase winner Special Tiara another absentee, but Fox Norton is a proven performer at this level and, in beating him, Politologue took his form to a still higher level for all the proximity of the third and fourth suggests the runner-up wasn't quite at his best; Ar Mad went off at a strong pace but steadied things in the back straight before trying to kick on again before 3 out.

POLITOLOGUE (FR) who was clearly none the worse for sweating up beforehand (some feat on such a cold afternoon), progressed again, his performance almost faultless, the way in which he held the determined challenge of the favourite particularly noteworthy; jumped fluently, travelled well, disputed second, joined leader 3 out, went on soon after next, ridden last, kept on well, always holding on; with doubts about when/whether Altior and Douvan will return, he clearly merits serious consideration as a Champion Chase candidate, potentially more to come, and is likely to be seen next in the Clarence House at Ascot next month.

FOX NORTON (FR) ran just a shade below the level that had seen him win his last 3 races, not quite so slick as the winner and never quite able to overhaul that rival; held up, mistake first, took closer order 4 out, ridden straight, not fluent 2 out, pressed leader from last, stuck to task well but unable to get past; reportedly set to return to further, with the King George still an option and the Ryanair likely to be his Festival target.

AR MAD (FR) all the better for his return, was back to front running and ran up to his best, essentially outclassed in the latter stages, his jumping just occasionally short of his usual high standard; raced clear, not fluent fifth, sixth,headed soon after 2 out, faded run-in; it's possible he'll come on again and the Desert Orchid ought to play to his strengths if connections opt for that next.

CHARBEL (IRE) back over fences and in cheekpieces first time, seemed better than ever on his first start out of novice company, likely to have done even better had he not landed flat footed quite so often, that a concern for his prospects this winter; not always fluent, disputed second, tracked pace 3 out, ridden after 2 out, not quicken.

SAN BENEDETO (FR) was in theory quite closely matched with the winner from Exeter, but the market rightly had rather different expectations of their chances and he never threatened to get involved, this grade beyond him; held up, ridden 3 out, made no impression.

SIR VALENTINO (FR) met a sad end; waited with, shaken up 3 out, not quicken, fell fatally last.