AINTREE 13:50

All 5 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 5m 2.2s Closing Sectional: (3.1f): 44.5s (105.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 102.7%

The first graded chase of the British jumps season tends not to prove especially strong or reliable form nowadays, and the fact that victory went to a runner racing from out of the weights for the second time in 3 years is a reflection of the varying levels of readiness usually on show in the Old Roan, the all-the-way winner benefiting from a good tactical ride to see off several rivals with other targets ahead of them, Aintree-specialist Ahoy Senor not seen to best effect.

MINELLA DRAMA (IRE) had been given a chance by the handicapper - even from 1 lb out of the weights he was racing off a mark 6 lb lower than when runner-up in last year's renewal - and took full advantage under a well-judged front-running ride, kicking on after 4 out and asserting between last 2, driven out on the run-in; he'd clearly been teed up for this and could prove harder to place from now on.

HITMAN (FR) has struggled badly for consistency since finishing runner-up (off a 2 lb higher mark) in the 2022 renewal, and isn't certain to back up this run after 6 months off, like the winner leaving the impression that this was his main target of the campaign; raced in touch, awkward third, hit 4 out, closing when mistake again 2 out, challenged last and kept on.

AHOY SENOR (IRE) is a risky betting proposition due to his suspect jumping (also none too consistent of late) but he's got an excellent record at Aintree and shaped as if as good as ever after 7 months off, leaving the impression he'd have pushed the winner closer had he been asked for his effort sooner under a more patient ride than usual; waited with, going well when hit 5 out, still plenty to do 2 out, stayed on strongly late and finished with running left.

STAGE STAR (IRE) hails from a yard whose runners have tended to need their comeback this autumn and shaped in kind after 8 months off, not jumping with his usual elan as he tracked the leader but still holding every chance, challenging between the last 2 until no extra on the run-in; he's had his limitations exposed a bit since winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup last autumn, but he's still a high-class chaser who should take plenty of beating in races such as the Peterborough Chase and Silviniaco Conti Chase.

UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR) was the rather surprising subject of a gamble given he had it do from 3 lb out of the weights and ultimately shaped as if this first run in 7 months will bring him on - a well-run big-field handicap seems to suit him ideally and he'll presumably have his campaign geared around such races again; dropped out, not always fluent, smooth headway from end of back straight, challenged 3 out and 2 out but folded soon after.