King Harald (right) won despite this stumble.

By Dave Ord

2.00: A remarkable performance from King Harald who overcame a bad mistake at the last and Matty Batchelor losing his irons to win well. He was at the right end of the handicap here but will progress again.

Lacdoudal ran a terrific race in second and he will continue to give a good account with his fencing so fluent.

See You Sometime is the horse through which the race should be rated as he again ran up to his best while Sir Oj returned to form in fourth.

He didn't last home as well as the principals but shaped with a great degree of promise.

Le Passing ran well for a long way under his big weight but the one to take from the race may be Copsdale Lad. He travelled and jumped well and had a lot of running left in him when brought down four out. There are races to be won with him.

2.35 Thisthatandtother gained just reward for his consistent season by edging out Fondmort in a thriller.

He clearly stays this trip well but has not found it easy in the top handicaps this term and will probably be targeted at this race again next year.

The runner-up was back to his best here as the vibes suggested and will always give a good account over this course and distance.

Rathgar Beau has had a good season and would have been involved in the finish but for a mistake at the last. He is on the upgrade.

Hand Inn Hand and Le Roi Miguel shaped encouragingly and there could be decent prizes in them this spring.

3.15 A real sense of a shift in power with Inglis Drever proving far too strong for Baracouda.

The winner has always shaped as though stepping up in trip would suit and he will be hard to beat in the top staying heats next season. However connections also have No Refuge and Royal Rosa for the same races so it will be interesting to see how they are campaigned.

There seemed to be no excuses for Baracouda who travelled well and crept into the race.

He just couldn't match the winner's surge up the hill and it seems the younger generation now have the legs of him.

Rule Supreme ran on well having had a flat spot in the race and will always be worthy of respect in races of this nature over both hurdles and fences.

Crystal D'Ainay did not give his true running but was badly hampered by Knife Edge at a crucial stage.

4.00: Liberthine had threatenned to win a decent prize earlier in the season but her victory here merely offered further proof of the health of Nicky Henderson's team.

She could be called the winner at the last as she hit the front and bounded clear but may not find things too easy from her revised mark.

Banker Count belied his advancing years to run a fine race in second while Simply Giftd was an eyecatcher in third.

He looks on a winning mark and with the Jonjo O'Neill team emerging from the doldrums, he could win before the season is out.

Brooklyn Breeze looked all over the winner when thundering to the front three out but did not see the race out as well as may have been expected. He clearly has plenty of ability though and a similar contest will surely come his way.

Scots Grey, a stablemate of the winner, ran his best race for some time. He could be of interest in the Topham at Aintree.

4.40: A difficult race to assess with an eye for the future but Another Rum overturned recent form with Point Barrow to win well. He clearly relished this marathon trip.

Caislean Ui Cuain finished strongly for second - a huge improvement on recent efforts.

Control Man ran very well under his big weight and is very much one to note for a decent prize this spring.

Point Barrow never landed a blow despite closing on the leaders down the hill while Keepatem was being driven along with nearly a circuit to run.

5.20: Despite the fear that the Irish handicap hurdlers looked harshly treated, Oulart was another run away winner.

He is clearly a step ahead of the assessor but will not find things straightforward now

The three placed horses ran remarkably considering their SPs with front-running Quick emerging with plenty of credit after the positive tactics employed.

Ravenswood ran through to challenge at the second last but did not get home.

It meant another frustrating day for the Martin Pipe team.