CHEPSTOW 15:25 5p4r40

All 8 ran. Fences: 17. Race Distance Adjustment: +47 yds

Time: 6m 7.9s Closing Sectional: (2.55f): 36.7s (107.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.5%

A maiden chase well worth keeping an eye on, the first 6 all well capable of winning races at the right level this season; the pace was a shade stop-start and, as so often around here, a prominent position proved an advantage.

TRUCKERS LODGE (IRE) stepped up markedly on recent run to get off the mark over fences, producing a clean round of jumping reverting to a much more prominent ride; disputed lead, chased leader tenth, stood well off 3 out, led between last 2, idled run-in, ridden out; likely to stay beyond 3¼m, the Welsh National is apparently on his agenda.

JOHANOS (FR) lightly raced in his first season over fences, showed improved form after 8 months off, impressing with his jumping and going down only narrowly to the only one in the line-up with a recent run under his belt; disputed lead, jumped well, went on tenth, pressed on 3 out, headed between last 2, rallied flat; with his BHA mark unable to go up on the back of this, he'll look well treated back in a handicap next time.

FINAWN BAWN (IRE) after 8 months off, failed to justify good sent chasing but posted a perfectly encouraging effort, still right in contention when conceding ground to the first pair at the final fence; mid-division, in touch when steadied into 4 out, challenged between last 2, steadied into last again, kept on; likely to improve and shouldn't be long in winning races in this sphere.

PRIME VENTURE (IRE) proved he retains his ability after 6 months off, spared a hard race, and presumably will be back in a handicap next time, his mark having eased a touch; in touch, every chance when steadied into 2 out, pecked last, one paced, not unduly punished.

COPPERHEAD whose form over hurdles took off in handicaps, is all over a chaser on looks/pedigree but shaped as if in need of the run for fitness and experience on this first attempt after 9 months off, the market hardly speaking in his favour late on, while he'd have been getting plenty of weight from all bar the runner-up in a handicap; mid-division, untidy eighth, lost ground twelfth, in contention again home turn, steadied into 5 out, untidy again 3 out, left behind, not knocked about; will surely improve and one to be with in a handicap next time.

TEA TIME ON MARS who didn't have much racing over hurdles, winding up with a ready success on his second handicap start, was in deep for his chasing debut after 8 months off but showed definite aptitude, still within hailing distance in fact when derailed by a mistake; held up, keeping on when clouted 4 out, not recover; he'd looked a pretty safe conveyance up to that point and is open to improvement, certainly of interest in a handicap now.

PUTDECASHONTHEDASH (IRE) after 7 months off, faced a stiff task in this grade (yet to be given a mark) and was left trailing quickly when the race developed; close up until end of back straight, left behind before straight.

BACT TO BLACK after 8 months off, faced a stiff task in this grade for chasing debut but went with little encouragement all the same; in rear, slow fourth, reminders ninth, lost touch well before end of back straight.