WINCANTON 14:05

Non Runners: MONKERTY TUNKERTY. Fences: 21.

Time: 6m 40.7s Closing Sectional: (2.3f): 35.6s (103%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 121%, Betfair SP 101%

The well-backed favourite was one of many who failed to perform but at least it was 2 other second-season chasers who came clear from another one, suggesting there's no less strength to this year's Badger Ales than recent renewals, thankfully no controversy either 12 months on from The Young Master's disqualification; there were a few different leaders as things chopped and changed early, but Royal Palladium ensured a true test of stamina and jumping once taking over around halfway, several failing to cope with the examination.

DROP OUT JOE has returned a different horse, asked a big question up 10 lb for Chepstow but finding another chunk of improvement to follow up, albeit in a race in which very few coped with the test, Drop Out Joe on the other hand relishing it as he came from an unpromising position (touched 220 in-running on Betfair); tracked pace but lost place over circuit out and outpaced soon after, mistake sixteenth, rallied into sixth from next, chased leader from early in straight and found plenty to lead run-in; he's worth another try over long distances, but the margin back to the third - plus the unusual nature of the race - could well ensure more of a rise than he can handle next time.

ROYAL PALLADIUM (FR) produced a cracking reappearance for his in-form yard, 1 lb out of the handicap in a stronger race yet more than holding his own, going like the best at the weights under an attacking ride only to succumb to the final challenger; in touch, jumped boldly, went on ninth, pressed on straight, kept on well, collared run-in, pulled clear of rest; looks set to prove himself a very useful stayer this season.

A GOOD SKIN (IRE) showed the benefit of his reappearance run, shaping well to boot, perhaps just stretched by such a thorough test at the trip; patiently ridden, baulked eighth, smooth headway back straight, chased leader end of back straight, pushed along straight, effort flattened out; one to be interested in for other good handicap chases.

FORGOTTEN GOLD (IRE) was probably undone by a 9 lb rise in the weights above all, though his improved reappearance win here had come away from the mud; handy, third when ridden home turn, faded.

CAROLE'S DESTRIER shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off, a perfectly encouraging return with a view to other autumn/winter targets (entered in the Hennessy), improvement required to land a race of that nature but this just his second season over fences; patiently ridden, typically jumped soundly, steady headway back straight, shaken up after 4 out, faded.

BERTIE BORU (IRE) is on the edge temperamentally and ran a moody race after 8 months off, the writing soon on the wall; in rear, not jump/travel well, never a threat.

THEATRICAL STAR went backwards from his reappearance, given only 2 weeks off on the back of it compared to a 10-day longer rest last season; disputed lead until eighth, lost place eleventh, never going well after, struggling back straight.

ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) failed badly to come on for his return, runner-up in this last season (from a mark 4 lb higher taking into account amount he was out of weights here) but running a miserable race this time around; disputed lead early, never going well from eighth, labouring early final circuit.

THE OULD LAD (IRE) clearly disappointed in a first-time tongue strap on his first outing since leaving Tom George after 7 months off, backed as if much better was expected, though it will surely pay to give him another chance, lightly raced generally let alone for Paul Nicholls; patiently ridden, mistake fifteenth, driven before 4 out, no response from home turn.

WILTON MILAN (IRE) is best up to 2¾m but was beaten by sloppy jumping more than the return to further; off pace out wide, not fluent from halfway, beaten 4 out.

DOING FINE (IRE) is better judged on reappearance promise, his jumping letting him down even more than it had that day over these demanding fences; mid-field, not fluent, lost place fifteenth, beaten 4 out.

BENVOLIO (IRE) ran one of his lesser races after 9 months off, seemingly hard to train nowadays and not much easier to catch right; tracked pace, ridden before fifteenth, soon beaten.