AINTREE 13:57

Non Runners: REALLY SUPER. Fences: 15.

Time: 5m 7.3s Closing Sectional: (3.15f): 48.7s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 98.6%

Not the starting point for top-notchers it used to be in the days of Kauto Star, Monet's Garden and Albertas Run but still one of the highest-quality handicaps in the calendar, falling the way this year of a winner running from a BHA mark of 155; Imperial Presence typically set off hard, the principals all coming from mid-field or further back.

NUTS WELL keeps raising his game just when it feels as though he's close to his ceiling, taking his biggest scalps yet in defying top weight against numerous leading southern yards in a competitive Old Roan, a breakthrough at graded level under a year on from defying a mark of 130 at Wetherby to begin his sequence of 5 wins from just 6 starts; settled mid-field, he was shuffled back on the home turn but crept closer again under a no-panic ride 2 out and soon recovered from a peck at the last to lead inside the final 50 yds, winning driven out, the strong pace right up his street; it's been said many times on his rise through the ranks, but he'll surely be forced a step too high next time, when handicaps will likely be out of the equation.

CLONDAW CASTLE (IRE) produced another career best returning from 9 months off, in his element picking off rivals in a well-run race, just outdone late by a thriving winner who had race-fitness on his side and was delivered even later; held up, smooth headway out wide from 4 out, pressed leader 2 out, every chance when left in front last, collared final 50 yds, no extra; he made the track only 3 times last season but should be a fixture in lots of good handicaps at 2m/2½m.

ITCHY FEET (FR) couldn't emulate the same owner's Rouge Vif from a couple of days earlier but still emerged with credit stepping out of novice company in a well-contested race after 8 months off, his lack of seasoning in such races evident through his jumping, not that he was fault-free on that score last season; waited with out wide, he undid the headway he'd made by hitting 4 out but didn't lie down and came back for more from 2 out, closing when another loss of momentum at the last ended his remaining winning chance.

OLDGRANGEWOOD picked up where he left off when last seen after 8 months off, hitting the frame but looking set for even more for most of the way, shaping no worse than third best; patiently ridden, awkward fifth, smooth headway out wide from 4 out, led soon after next, still finding when blundered last, headed and unable to recover.

CRACKING DESTINY (IRE) faced an even stiffer task in this grade but shaped as if still in good form, left with a lot to do under a return to waiting tactics for all it was a truly-run race; settled in rear, off pace still 3 out, kept on from next, nearest at the finish.

MAGIC SAINT (FR) ran a typical race after 10 months off, regularly campaigned beyond 2m despite appearing not to stay; mid-division, in contention 3 out, ridden from next, effort flattened out.

ANNIE MC (IRE) hasn't looked ready for such exalted company (away from small-field mares events) on her last 2 outings, this coming 8 months after also finishing down the field in the Marsh; patiently ridden, progress out wide 4 out, ridden straight, not quicken from 2 out.

CRIEVEHILL (IRE) might have needed the run after 8 months off, having also done plenty up with the pace dropped in trip, but he does return handicapped to the hilt; chased leader, jumped on 4 out, headed soon after next, no response from 2 out.

IMPERIAL PRESENCE (IRE) was found out in better company from 4 lb higher, unable to get away from this field and probably doing too much, his winning run ended; led until 4 out, lost place before straight, no chance after 3 out.

MIDNIGHT SHADOW shaped as if needing the run after 8 months off; handy, ridden 4 out, held when slow 2 out.

VISION DES FLOS (FR) had undergone yet another breathing operation during his 8 months off but didn't get the chance to prove whether it had worked, unseating at the second, another blow to his hitherto underwhelming chasing record.

YORKHILL (IRE) showed nothing to encourage on his first outing since leaving W. P. Mullins after 9 months off; raced off the pace, lost touch from 4 out, pulled up straight, cutting a sorry figure bearing in mind his lofty prime.