SANDOWN PARK 15:00

All 4 ran. Fences: 13.

Time: 4m 4.1s Closing Sectional: (2.75f): 44.7s (96.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 99.1%

This looked an outstanding renewal in prospect of one of the 2 most prestigious 2m chases of the whole season and it fully delivered, with the best chaser around seeing off a top-class rival, who was running under optimum conditions, the pair leaving their high-class rivals toiling in their wake from the third last, the runner-up surely never better but still not good enough against an outstanding rival; the winner's performance has been bettered in this race this century only by stablemate Sprinter Sacre in 2012 and by the 2004 triumvirate of Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief, the latter one of the greatest races of the modern era, that this edition can be mentioned as even worthy of comparison with that epic an indication of just how good it was; incidentally, although the overall time was a fair bit slower than that for the earlier Henry VIII, there was significant rainfall in the half hour prior to this event.

ALTIOR (IRE) after 7 months off, produced a performance every bit as good as his victory in the Champion Chase last March, as ever really strong at the finish after having little trouble coping with the pace set, the one moment of worry coming with a rare jumping lapse early on; tracked pace, jumped well, barring mistake second, took second 4 out, challenged next, led approaching last, stayed on strongly; he's the best jumper in training and will continue to be very hard to beat, rightly a short price to successfully defend the Champion Chase crown.

UN DE SCEAUX (FR) is still a top-notch chaser, rising 11, one who revels in the mud, and he ran right up to his best after 8 months off, the rain that fell before the race all in his favour, his performance well nigh perfect but still not sufficient to deny an outstanding rival; close up, jumped superbly, went with enthusiasm, led fourth, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, every chance still run-in, left behind by winner final 1f; he's surely got a return to Ascot for a fourth Clarence House on the agenda, seemingly unlikely to face Altior there.

SAINT CALVADOS (FR) wasn't disgraced, faced with a stiffer task in this grade, his rider unable to control things in the way he had at Naas; led, took keen hold, headed fourth, ridden after 4 out, left behind next; he has raced so far at only 2m in Britain/Ireland, but he is still in the King George and, while he is unlikely to be up to that standard, he has a pedigree that suggests he'll stay further than 2m and would clearly be worth a try after being put in his place here.

SCEAU ROYAL (FR) was well held faced with his stiffest task to date, perhaps having the edge taken off of him by his run at Cheltenham but still quite a lot more required on previous form to trouble the first 2; patiently ridden, pushed along after 4 out, left behind next; he is still relatively lightly raced over fences and could well get back on track with his sights lowered a little.