The unexpected departure of clear leader Shining Strand, who ran out at the fence going away from the stands, left the door open for CRUISING RIVER to endorse the potential he'd displayed earlier in the season. Ideally he wants ground quicker than this, but his jumping was a joy to behold and with stamina not a worry, his trainer, Henrietta Knight may run him in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival.

Distant Thunder is way better than his PPP form figures this season had indicated and he showed it here, doing his best work at the finish and needing just another couple of strides to prevail. Cut in the ground holds no perils for him and his confidence will have been boosted with this completion.

Shining Strand's a law unto himself and, after behaving impeccably with the groom who looks after him down at the start, threw away a huge winning chance when ducking out. He has the ability to mix it with the best, but as a betting proposition he is decidedly risky.

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