WETHERBY 15:05 2e4o6x

All 7 ran. Fences: 19. Race Distance Adjustment: +37 yds

Time: 6m 19s Closing Sectional: (2.25f): 36.8s (95.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99%

The 2014 renewal - won by Menorah - was the subject of positive analysis but this year's renewal topped that and probably any other run this century, not only in of the winner's performance but also its competitiveness, the betting reflective of an open-looking race; the run of the race was somewhat disted, in that a trio raced a little way clear - at a good pace ittedly - for some of the way, but it's hard to escape the conclusion it went the way of the best horse regardless, Cue Card's effort top class in holding off the David Pipe-trained pair, who both conceded a head start under waiting tactics.

CUE CARD was better placed than most in a somewhat tactical renewal but to focus on that rather than his revival after 6 months off would do him a severe disservice, perhaps not yet back at the level displayed in his 2012/13 season (when only Sprinter Sacre rated higher) but closer to it than at any stage since, some bounce back considering the physical problems he's endured along the way; ridden prominently as ever, he jumped superbly and travelled powerfully, challenged at the twelfth and committed soon after taking over entering the straight, briefly looking vulnerable when closed down approaching the last only to find more, putting to bed once and for all any suggestion 3m stretches him; another crack at the Betfair Chase would seem the obvious next step, but his chance there depends less on him and more on the opposition, given the glut of younger rivals vying for top spot on a potentially stellar staying scene.

DYNASTE (FR) predictably put his French reappearance well behind him back over fences, looking as good as ever in a race that didn't see him to very best advantage; patiently ridden, still plenty to do 5 out, smooth headway early in straight but still had work to do, effort 2 out and closed down Cue Card approaching last but no further impression, that rival going away again on the run-in; he's been placed also in the last 2 renewals of the Betfair Chase, and it wouldn't surprise if he narrowed the gap with Cue Card back at Haydock.

BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) isn't far behind Dynaste generally and he ran an almost identical race to his stablemate as well, likewise reverting to chasing from French hurdles, enhancing a fine record fresh with this highly creditable placed effort after 5 months off; travelled strongly dropped out but taken very steadily and began to creep closer only early in the straight, continuing to run on once shaken up from 2 out but never closer than third.

SAM WINNER (FR) ran up to his best after 7 months off, just not good enough against such exalted principals; forced pace, slow second, eleventh, ridden when headed entering straight, rider dropped whip 4 out, kept on; won't be easy to place this season.

HOLYWELL (IRE) tends to be brought along to peak later in the season and almost certainly needed this return from 7 months off; chased leaders, ridden from 5 out, left behind gradually straight.

MANY CLOUDS (IRE) was prominent in the betting but could easily have been having a mere pipe-opener 7 months on from his Grand National success, a repeat at that race presumably high on the agenda, showing enough to think the ability is still there; in touch until fourteenth, outpaced there, rallied briefly early in straight, no further impression, not knocked about.

MENORAH (IRE) had more on than when winning this race first time back last season but still didn't run any sort of race this time around after 6 months off, his jumping defects resurfacing but not entirely to blame, a repeat of his Betfair Chase second later this month looking most unlikely now; patiently ridden, some headway halfway, lost place when clouted fourteenth, beaten 5 out.