AINTREE 15:30

All 7 ran. Fences: 16. Race Distance Adjustment: +31 yds

Time: 5m 3.2s Closing Sectional: (3.15f): 47.9s (99.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A running of the Melling Chase lacking the best in the division this winter, neither Envoi Allen nor Shishkin in the line-up, though their form was represented by the third and fourth behind the former in the Ryanair and the second and third behind the latter in the Ascot Chase, the latter form-line the one franked with Pic d’Orhy producing a career-best in confirming those placings with Fakir d’Oudairies, who ran creditably in bidding for a third win in this race; the pace-making third, who had also been off since February, was another to run well, by contrast none of the trio that ran at Cheltenham giving anything like their running.

PIC D'ORHY (FR) rounded off a fine campaign with a first Grade 1 success, placed to great advantage by a stable that has no peers when it comes to selecting the optimum targets for its charges; travelled well, upsides when not fluent first, remained prominent, pushed along 3 out, led soon after next, kept on well run-in, ridden out; he's proved thoroughly consistent and there's no reason to think he won't have a profitable time again next season.

FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES (FR) in first-time cheekpieces, was back close to his best, though beaten fair and square in his bid for a third successive win in this race; waited with, travelled well, shaken up before 2 out, chased leader approaching last, kept on; he's vulnerable to the very best at this level and the Oaksey Chase at Sandown might be a better option than either of the Grade 1s at Punchestown.

MINELLA DRAMA (IRE) ran up to his best, at an advantage in making the running; led, went with zest, shaken up straight, headed soon after 2 out, beaten when mistake last.

FRENCH DYNAMITE (FR) had form good enough for a place at least, but he was some way below his best, the way in which he folded under pressure suggesting all might not have been well; prominent, took keen hold, hung right, shaken up entering straight, weakened quickly 3 out.

FUGITIF (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade, his big effort at Cheltenham looking to have taken the edge off him all the same; held up, already niggled when mistakes eleventh and twelfth, labouring after.

HITMAN (FR) off the back of a fine run in the Ryanair and runner-up in this race last season, turned in a particularly poor effort, said by connections to have run flat, the after-effects of Cheltenham an obvious explanation for the performance, though he's hard to win with and does have a record of one with physical issues; held up, shaken up 4 out, found little.

MILLERS BANK had run really well at this meeting in the last 2 seasons, winning the Manifesto as a novice, but he again made no impact in open Grade 1 company, looking out of his depth; held up, pushed along end of back straight, left behind next, pulled up 2 out.