CHELTENHAM 13:50 1h5v7

Non Runners: FAIR DILEMMA (IRE). Fences: 13.

Time: 4m 13.2s

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 99.3%

Most of the principals in the betting either failed to complete or just disappointed, the likes of Festive Dream, Next Sensation and Astracad for instance, and it probably didn't turn out to be so competitive as might have been the case; nevertheless, it was a strongly-run Cheltenham handicap chase that provided a thorough test of stamina and jumping.

BOLD HENRY must have been hard to train to have made the track only once in 2 years but was potentially well handicapped on novice form and proved better than ever back over fences after 7 months off; dropped out, took keen hold, mistake third, smooth headway 5 out, hit 2 out, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, driven clear; open to further improvement, for all that it's difficult to know how well he'll stand his racing.

SEW ON TARGET (IRE) was much fitter for reappearance and produced a career best to finish runner-up in this race for the second year in a row; tracked pace, went with zest, led approaching last, headed final 100 yds, kept on.

MONETAIRE (FR) on first outing since leaving J. Bertran De Balanda after 11 months off (tongue tied), shaped well and looks favourably handicapped starting out in Britain; raced well off the pace, all but came down first, still travelled well and made steady headway after halfway, blundered badly 4 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, one paced; one to keep an eye on.

DE FAOITHESDREAM (IRE) back over fences, shaped as if still in good form and isn't without a chance from current mark if able to replicate the improvement he's made over hurdles recently; led after fourth, headed 2 out, kept on despite having probably done a bit too much too soon leading this big field for so long.

UT MAJEUR AULMES (FR) after 6 months off, shaped better than distance beaten suggests, seemed unsuited by the stiff nature of this track (not the sort to find much); mid-field, travelled better than most, headway after 4 out, weakened from 2 out; may yet do better under the right conditions.

HOLLOW BLUE SKY (FR) best not judged on this run as 2m isn't his trip; mid-division, outpaced after 5 out, held when mistake 2 out.

ASTRACAD (FR) ran one of lesser races but is possibly best over further nowadays; held up, driven after 3 out, never on ; will probably benefit from return to 2½m.

OISEAU DE NUIT (FR) is struggling for form at present; chased leaders, lost place after ninth; something to prove at present.

SHANGANI (USA) needed run after 7 months off and was running over an inadequate trip; outpaced, never on ; will benefit from return to 2½m+.

LAST SHOT (FR) was well held after 8 months off; mid-division, blundered eighth, struggling soon after, beaten when badly hampered 3 out.

ANAY TURGE (FR) proved to be a disappointment in a race that he won 12 months ago; mid-division, went with little fluency, beaten 3 out.

ROBIN'S COMMAND (IRE) found run of good form coming to a halt in an altogether tougher race; mid-field, tracked pace 4 out, weakened.

NEXT SENSATION (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day; led until fourth, not fluent there, folded tamely 4 out, seemed amiss.

GOING CONCERN (IRE) held up, fell third.

ANQUETTA (IRE) again shaped as if still in good form, set to run well only to come to grief at the third last; tracked pace, travelled better than most, every chance when fell 3 out, looked sure to play hand in finish.

RIO DE SIVOLA (FR) after 10 months off, easy to put a line through this run; held up, badly hampered, unseated rider second.

KARINGA DANCER after 6 months off, failed to complete; mid-division, blundered second, ridden when unseated rider 3 out, too far out to suggest outcome for sure but did seem to be starting to feel the pinch.

OWEN NA VIEW (IRE) ran no sort of race; always behind.

FESTIVE AFFAIR (IRE) shaped encouragingly in a Festival handicap 8 months ago and can't have been 100% here; chased leaders, folded tamely after 4 out.