WARWICK 16:10

All 8 ran. Fences: 20.

Time: 6m 30.8s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 55.6s (104.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 100.9%

An interesting contest on paper, and although the majority weren’t at their best returning from a break, it still reached a thrilling climax, Dursey Sound getting the better of a ding-dong tussle with Belmount from the second last; the gallop was by no means strong, but the tempo lifted noticeably from the fourteenth, the runner-up deserving plenty of credit as he was one of the 2 responsible for the injection of pace.

DURSEY SOUND (IRE) bounced back to form to edge a thrilling finish, no faulting his attitude on this occasion having had ample opportunity to shirk the issue, though whether he gives as willingly next time is another matter entirely, future prospects more reliant on his inclination as opposed to any action on the part of the handicapper (previous victory achieved from 8 lb higher); waited with, untidy sixth, outpaced fifteenth, rallied well from 4 out, challenged Belmount from 2 out, lead fluctuated between the pair until he got on top for good close home.

BELMOUNT (IRE) whose chasing debut win at Ludlow in May had been franked in the interim, shaped well in going down narrowly to a race-fit and considerably more experienced rival, especially as he was embroiled in a battle with another rival fully 7 fences out; mid-division, went with enthusiasm, mistake second, crept closer approaching sixth, upsides there, pressed on with Kilbree Kid fourteenth, jumped on 4 out, tackled by Dursey Sound 2 out, involved in sustained duel thereafter, edged out close home; remains open to improvement after a mere 2 chase starts and is one to keep on side.

GARRAHALISH (IRE) took a step back in the right direction after 5 months off, his previous campaign rather fizzling out, though whether this trip is what he wants is open to question, this inconclusive considering his absence; in rear, took strong hold, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out.

KILBREE KID (IRE) who had been given a short break, shaped as if resuming at the top of his game, just unable to see things out having pressed on some way from home, that coupled with the lack of a recent outing telling in the closing stages; prominent, upsides tenth, went on approaching next, kicked on with eventual runner-up fourteenth, headed 4 out, faltered 2 out.

ALLTHEKINGSHORSES (IRE) off the track since winning here in April, ran well below form; close up, hampered and lost place as leader stumbled approaching eleventh, soon off bridle, weakened fifteenth.

LAMBORO LAD (IRE) in the doldrums when last seen, fared no better without his usual cheekpieces after 10 months off, left behind when the race began in earnest; in touch, not settle fully, crept closer approaching eleventh, weakened fifteenth.

HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) after 9 months off, looked to have plenty in his favour, well handicapped and with a good record fresh, but not for the first time proved to be a disappointment, albeit perhaps doing himself some damage when slipping early on the final circuit; led narrowly, headed when stumbled approaching eleventh, weakened fourteenth.

TERMINAL (FR) ran no sort of race for the second successive start; held up, dropped to rear fifth, mistakes sixth and seventh, struggling soon after.