A succession of future big winners took this prize between 1980 and 1990, among them Bregawn, Burrough Hill Lad, Rhyme 'N' Reason, Stearsby and Royal Athlete, but the race's more recent history is less impressive. That said, it was an insult on the part of William Hill initially to leave STAR DE MOHAISON unchanged at 33-1 for next year's Gold Cup after he had followed up his SunAllliance win with another thoroughly accomplished display of slick jumping and stout staying. It was no surprise when they were obliged to come more into line with the others, some of whom were only offering 16-1. The drier ground, as well as the tongue strap, was advanced as a major factor in the five-year-old's much-improved form at Cheltenham, but the time for this race, which was run at a decent pace, not to mention the shortage of finishers, suggests the going was bordering on soft following the deluge at end of play on Thursday, so he is clearly very effective with plenty of give too. He was burdened with a 7lb Grade 1 penalty, but he made light of it, racing enthusiastically near the head of affairs (just a bit keen, if anything) before taking it up with over a circuit to go, and impressing again with the speed with which he not only jumped the fences, but also got away from them. Turpin Green and Copsale Lad chased him hard up the straight, and there was just a moment at the last when he looked as if he might possibly be outstayed, but he was simply idling and he found more on the run-in.

There is a suspicion, tosay the least, that this year's staying novices are an ordinary bunch on balance, but winners of both the SunAlliance and the Mildmay are a rare breed, and connections are entitled to their Gold Cup dreams, especially as he is only five. The Charlie Hallwill be a good starting point next season, and while he has a lot of ground to make up to match War Of Attrition and Kicking King, he must not be underestimated.

Turpin Green won one of the novice hurdles here last season and is a talented individual, notwithstanding his virtual refusal at Sandown. His mistake at the second-last didn't help, but he wouldn't have beaten the winner in any case. He stayed on well, though, and this has to go down as a good effort, especially as connections felt it came quick enough for him after Cheltenham.

Zabenz was up there from the start, but he wasn't a serious contender from the cross fence, four out. Once again, he was unable to dominate, and he may prove better in smaller fields nextseason.

Montgermont is a tall, handsome individual who looked particularly well. At the end of the back straight he looked for a moment as if he might prove the main danger to the winner, but he'd made a couple of mistakes and was very tired in the home straight. He is better than the bare form and will make a decent handicapper next season.

Outsider Olney Lad got reminders at an early stage and just completed in his own time.

Bold Bishop, who had to be replated at the start, was toiling in rear when he was badly hampered by a faller and unseated his rider starting down the back straight for the second time. This was a disappointing effort. Crozan, who looked so good at Cheltenham in the autumn, also disappointed again and is oneto have reservations about.

Commercial Flyer was in rear when a bit short of room on the rail starting the final circuit. He made some headway down the back, but he had never been jumping or travelling that well and he was very tired and well backwhen he ran down the second-last and made a bad mistake. Bewleys Berry was also pulled up late on, having helped force much of the early running. Napolitain lost a good position when clouting the cross fence hard first time around. [GD]

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