AINTREE 14:15

Non Runners: FIVE STAR GETAWAY (IRE). Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +5 yds

Time: 5m 37.9s Closing Sectional: (6.28f): 96.9s (103.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.9%

Outsiders filled 3 of the first 4 placings but the form makes more sense than that might suggest, the winner representing a yard that often does well over these fences and chased home by an in-form rival with previous course experience; the pace was good but, as is often the case in shorter-distance races over the National course, those held up were almost certainly at a disadvantage.

MAC TOTTIE fitter for reappearance, produced a career-best effort tackling these fences for the first time and, given his yard, is likely to become a regular here over the next few years; mid-division, in contention from before halfway, hit eleventh (jumped soundly otherwise), produced to lead between last 2, kept going well despite drifting right late on.

SENIOR CITIZEN has returned in good heart this autumn and ran another fine race over these fences (now 2 placed efforts from 3 starts on National course); travelled smoothly in mid-division, jumped fluently, challenged from 2 out, kept on (already held when hampered close home).

MANWELL (IRE) shaped similarly to last time and should remain competitive off this sort of mark, his trademark waiting tactics simply not the order of the day over National fences (jumped fine on this debut over them), particularly back over a much shorter trip; dropped out, hampered Canal Turn, still stone last 5 out, kept on well straight, went third late on.

VIA DOLOROSA (FR) claimed from A. Chaille-Chaille for €13,276 after winning over hurdles in late-September, is potentially well handicapped on the pick of his French form and shaped as if retaining all of that ability reverted to fences by new connections; prominent, upsides when carried wide Canal Turn, blundered 4 out (fluent otherwise), took over next, headed between last 2, no extra run-in.

CAT TIGER (FR) didn't have quite the chance that the market suggested but still disappointed after 6 months off and never looked like repeating his Fox Hunters' third from last spring; mid-division, untidy seventh, hit eleventh, keeping on when mistake again 2 out, one paced run-in.

HOGAN'S HEIGHT (IRE) is difficult to assess at present, though hasn't been seen to best effect under overly patient rides on both tries over these fences since winning the 2019 Grand Sefton; raced wide, dropped out, still plenty to do 4 out, plugged on latter stages without ever landing a blow.

THOMAS MACDONAGH was below form tackling these fences for the first time, though possibly needed the run after 8 months off and is better judged on last season's form; waited with, not always fluent, ridden after 4 out, went fourth briefly 2 out, not sustain effort.

FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (FR) has possibly lost his form for now and was never better than mid-division (easy to back), though this first experience of the National fences is unlikely to be lost on him ahead of a possible tilt at the Topham back here in April (a race his yard has won 4 times).

SIR JACK YEATS (IRE) has a good record over these fences (notably when runner-up in 2020 renewal of this race) but was well held after 7 months off, the combination of that absence and a couple of uncharacteristic errors taking their toll late on; forced pace, blundered fifth, bad mistake Canal Turn, hampered by loose horse 5 out, headed 3 out, dropped away approaching home turn.

AL ROC (FR) was presumaby bought as a possible Grand National horse last winter but remains with no form for current connections; mid-division, labouring badly from before halfway.

TIME TO GET UP (IRE) was most progressive last season (won Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter final start) but turned in a lacklustre display after 8 months off even allowing for this much shorter trip, seemingly not taking to these fences at the first time of asking (never going well from halfway/always behind).

SPYGLASS HILL (IRE) shaped as if back in form, though he's never been the safest conveyance so it wasn't the biggest surprise these fences eventually found him out; prominent, blundered second, also hit eighth, upsides going well (traded 3.20 in-running on Betfair) when unseated rider Canal Turn.

THE WEST'S AWAKE (IRE) tackling these fences for the first time, turned in a rare poor effort; mid-division, slow fourth (water jump), lost touch from Canal Turn.