TAUNTON 15:30

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 9.

Time: 4m 15.4s Closing Sectional: (4.7f): 69.1s (101.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99.9%

Not the strongest of handicaps for the grade, the majority failing to give their running, though it is doubtful any would have been able to live with the winner regardless, Tornado In Milan strolling to a facile success, easing clear in the closing stages having set a solid pace at the head of affairs.

TORNADO IN MILAN (IRE) reverted to hurdles with his customary hood left off, returned to form from out of the blue to laugh at the opposition after 9 weeks off, nothing able to lay a glove on him; made running, tanked along, merely shaken up to assert 2 out, clear when untidy last, easily; visually very impressive, there appeared no fluke about this for all he was largely unpestered in front, though given his profile, whether he can back this up is another matter entirely.

CHESIL BEACH BOY without the tongue strap this time, bounced back to his best with a couple of outings under his belt (just as he had when finishing runner-up in this race last year), unlucky to bump into one who was much improved; in rear, good progress to chase leader approaching 2 out, mistake there, kept on, no match for winner; is on a long losing run, but has slipped in the weights and clearly still has something to offer.

BOX OFFICE (FR) the winner of 3 of his 4 starts in France, was easy to back and shaped as if needing the run on first outing since leaving F. Nicolle after 12 weeks off, though not before providing new connections with plenty to work on; patiently ridden, travelled fluently, headway approaching 3 out, shaken up approaching next, not knocked about as effort flattened out; handicapper has predictably taken few chances with his opening mark, but it looked within his compass for a long way here and it would be a surprise if this expensive purchase failed to come good at some stage.

LEVIATHAN again ran below form, more patient tactics adopted for the second start in a row; mid-division, not settle fully, beaten approaching 2 out, plodded on.

RAVEN'S TOWER (USA) after 8 weeks off, attracted support but turned in an uncharacteristically poor effort, backing out of things rather tamely, a first-time tongue strap perhaps not coincidental; mid-division, travelled better than most, went prominent early final circuit, faltered approaching 2 out.

LOYAUTE (FR) back over hurdles and tried in a tongue tie, fared no better, this laboured display leaving her with a number of questions to answer; mid-division, off the bridle before most, mistake 4 out, beaten soon after next.

AVEL VOR (IRE) disappointed, especially bearing in mind the promise of his last run, a 10 lb higher mark not the issue although it does appear a little harsh; in touch, not settle fully, blundered 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out.

HAWKHILL (IRE) back down markedly in trip/without the blinkers, probably needed the run on first outing since leaving David Pipe to rejoin his former trainer after 4 months off; chased leader, faltered approaching 2 out.

MOSS STREET without his usual combination of tongue tie and blinkers, ran no sort of race after 8 weeks off; held up, labouring badly early final circuit.