This was woeful, horrendous or diabolical, depending on which adjective you prefer. Of the six runners, one was aged 14, one was aged 13, the top weight was rated only 87, most of them jumped sloppily and the favourite had been sent off at 50-1 and 28-1 on his previous two outings. As races go, it really was very bad indeed.

Even so, it produced a cracking finish with the aforementioned favourite, TIPP TOP, who made much of the running, just hanging on for the win after thumping the final fence. He did not have to achieve a lot to score and so should not be unduly punished by the handicapper. On top of that, he will be better on quicker ground.

Reach The Clouds is an admirable old pensioner who jumped better than anything but he is clearly going to find it hard to win at his age.

LongstoneLoch still had every chance when crashing out.

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