FAIRYHOUSE 17:00

Non Runners: ROYAL THIEF (IRE). Fences: 24.

Time: 8m 40.1s Closing Sectional: (3.95f): 65.8s (107.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 133%, Betfair SP 108.1%

This renewal might have lacked the obvious quality and certainly quantity of runners that has come to be expected in this famous event, but there's still every reason to think it'll prove strong form, the 6-y-o winner on a steep upward curve and leading home a trio consisting of a pair previously placed in at least one major National and a similarly smart novice chaser who could also boast Grade-1 winning hurdles form; the pace was just modest, though conditions ensured it was still those with abundant stamina that came to the fore.

INTENSE RAFFLES (FR) has progressed at a rate of knots since joining current yard and took the transition from small-field novices to large-field handicap firmly in his stride, moving smoothly and also showing plenty of grit to deny the strong-staying runner-up after the last, making it 3 wins from as many starts at this course in the process; prominent, travelled well, blundered 4 out, jumped on next, ridden before last, stayed on well.

ANY SECOND NOW (IRE) had come here instead of aiming to build on his excellent Grand National record and left his previous efforts this season well behind as he once again came very close to a famous victory, closing all the while on a highly progressive sort half his age; in touch, took closer order approaching straight, ridden from 3 out, third last, stayed on.

MINELLA COCOONER (IRE) got back on the up faced with a stiffer test of stamina, confirming himself a smart staying chaser; in touch, travelled well, headway 3 out, ridden from 2 out, second when not fluent last, kept on.

FRONTAL ASSAULT (IRE) had found only Lord Lariat too good in the 2022 renewal and made the frame for the second time having jumped/travelled better than of late; soon led, headed 3 out, ridden before next, kept on.

HISTORY OF FASHION (IRE) ran one of this season's better races; mid-field, took closer order from eighteenth, third early in straight, plugged on.

WE'LLHAVEWAN (IRE) without the headgear this time, attracted support again but didn't get home over this longer trip; led briefly first, remained prominent, not fluent sixth, shuffled back early final circuit, ridden from 3 out, weakened.

NICK ROCKETT (IRE) was strong in the betting but failed to meet expectations, looking stretched by the longer trip as much as anything; mid-field, not fluent eleventh, headway when not fluent 5 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened between last 2; still early days in this sphere, he'll benefit from a return to around 3m and remains open to improvement.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (IRE) was below form, possibly finding this coming too soon after Cheltenham; mid-division, ridden from 4 out, made no impression.

YEAH MAN (IRE) shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests; in touch, travelled smoothly/jumped soundly in main, took closer order before 5 out, third next, starting to tire when mistake 3 out, behind when jumped left last.

HARTUR D'ARC (FR) had much more on his plate on this occasion but had his winning run ended in tame fashion even so; mid-division, ridden from 4 out, weakened.

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (FR) hasn't gone on as expected over fences and looked a tired horse when crashing out late on trying a marathon trip in a handicap for the first time; held up, took closer order from halfway, ridden before 3 out, weakening when fell heavily 2 out.

CHURCHSTONEWARRIOR (IRE) made it 3 non-completions from as many starts this season after another 3 months off; held up, not fluent eighteenth, brief headway home turn, held when unseated rider 3 out.

WHERE'S FRANKIE (IRE) goes well at this track but found this much higher level of handicap beyond him; prominent, hit sixteenth, not fluent eighteenth, lost place from 4 out, behind when pulled up approaching last.

DAILY PRESENT (IRE) ran no sort of race, possibly finding the race coming too soon; raced off the pace, struggling from eighteenth, pulled up 5 out.

STREET VALUE (IRE) had beaten the fourth and fifth when winning the Porterstown at this course in December but is out of sorts now; chased leaders, lost place when not fluent seventeenth, struggling from next, pulled up 5 out.

GOOD TIME JONNY (IRE) upped in trip, clearly wasn't 100% on the day; dropped out, driven eighteenth, pulled up before next.

COOL SURVIVOR (IRE) shaped as if amiss; raced off the pace, not fluent thirteenth, pulled up approaching fifteenth.

DUNBOYNE (IRE) wasn't on a going day; raced off the pace, not always fluent, went in snatches, behind when pulled up 3 out.

DIOL KER (FR) was badly let down by his jumping; mid-division, mistakes, blundered again seventeenth, pulled up before 4 out.

SENIOR CHIEF arrived unexposed and with the perceived qualities needed to make an impact in a race of this nature but patently failed to give his running; mid-division, crept closer from eighteenth, in touch 5 out, lost place from next, behind when pulled up 2 out; assuming he's none the worse/nothing serious comes to light, he remains capable of better as a chaser.