Expert Analysis

Based on the times on the day the ground was riding more testing than the official description of soft would suggest. Given the conditions, this was understandably a relatively gently run race after the usual adrenalin fuelled early stages based on Attheraces sectionals. This proved to be an advantage to the horses racing prominently from the start. The first four horses to finish filled four of the first five places jumping the second fence.

TWINJETS He had his ability to act on a testing surface to prove going into this race; however, there can be few doubts now after this all the way success on what was borderline extremely heavy ground according to Proform Racing. Despite his high head carriage when under pressure, he still found plenty to repel the challenge of the runner up in the closing stages.

DONNACHA I doubt very much that this was a stiff enough finish for him despite the testing surface. He has been raised 2lbs to 139 and lives to fight another day or two next season. After his tenacious success at Cheltenham on trials day we will surely be seeing him back at Prestbury Park next season for the Paddy Power and/or the December Gold Cup.

HOMBRE DE GUERRA I could see him improving again when stepped up in trip another half a mile next season. After racing towards the front he then lost his pitch before rallying in the home straight to finish an honourable third.

JIPCOTThis was probably the most testing ground he has encountered thus far and I am not sure he was in love with it after this well beaten fourth place finish.

DUBAI DAYS Despite plodding on early in the home straight, he never seemed likely to play a part in the finish.

HOE JOLY SMOKE After being strongly supported down to favourite he travelled in a smooth fashion for much of the race before finding very little when asked for more from the second last fence. Maybe the ground was too testing for him and perhaps he is more of a bridle horse when push comes to shove. He has certainly hinted at the latter before now.

CALIFET EN VOL I would suggest we are unlikely to be seeing him compete in such testing conditions again in the near future. After travelling well in the first half of the race he was soon brushed aside when the race got going entering the home straight.

MYRETOWN My best guess is that his connections decided to give him a confidence boosting clear round before being roughed off for the season. If this was the plan it worked well as he jumped well and ran a nice race until the home straight over a trip well shy of his optimum.

IL RIDOTO He had plenty against him here and we can safely draw a line through this apparently poor display. He does not act on a softer surface and is usually a spent force from the end of January to the end of the season. Conversely, he is usually one to mark up when competing on a decent surface prior to Xmas. He has been dropped 2lbs to 134 after being pulled up before three out here. Presumably, this was the main reason for running him here given conditions were so against him alongside his significant drift in the late betting.