GOWRAN PARK 15:05

Non Runners: DEFI BLEU (FR), BRACE YOURSELF (IRE), STONES AND ROSES (IRE). Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 34.3s Closing Sectional: (2.2f): 34.5s (100.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 98.6%

A very deep renewal of one of the longest-standing handicap chases in Ireland, and a fitting one to welcome crowds back onto Irish racecourses, the first 2 treating them to a thrilling finish, Longhouse Poet rallying strongly to get on top close home; it was run at a sound gallop and, as has been the case in recent years, not many of those held up managed to get competitive.

LONGHOUSE POET (IRE) easy to back on the day having coming in for significant support earlier in the week, produced a decidedly smart effort with the benefit of a recent run under his belt, never too far from the pace and responding well to get the better of a good tussle with the runner-up; handy, jumped well, travelled better than most, jumped on 3 out, joined last, found extra; remains unexposed as a stayer and will reportedly follow a similar path to his yard's only previous winner of this race, Numbersixvalverde, who went on to land the Irish Grand National later the same season.

FRANCO DE PORT (FR) ran a cracker on his first try in a handicap chase, emerging as the best horse at the weights, this sort of trip clearly well within range after all; taken wide, mid-division, jumped better than of late, went handy early final circuit, in contention entering straight, upsides last, edged out only late on; still only 7, he can be placed to win more Graded contests over fences on this evidence.

MISTER FOGPATCHES (IRE) turned in another stellar effort in a valuable handicap, needing no excuses; mid-division, close up when not fluent 4 out, third 2 out, kept on.

DIOL KER (FR) second in the Galmoy Hurdle on this card last year, ran up to best on what was his handicap debut; waited with, slow second (jumped fine on the whole), took closer order 5 out, in contention 3 out, one paced.

ONTHEROPES (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, got back on track without ever looking like winning, shaping as if worth a try at long distances; mid-division, clouted fifth, reminders soon after, plenty to do driven 5 out, stayed on.

COKO BEACH (FR) 9 lb higher than when winning this race last year, ran respectably under a much more judicious ride than last time; close up, jumped on eleventh, headed 3 out, no extra.

DEATH DUTY (IRE) wasn't disgraced but never looked like landing a significant blow, either; mid-division, ridden 5 out, laboured headway before home turn, plodded on.

ESCARIA TEN (FR) shaped better than the bare result after 10 months off, the lack of a recent run appearing to take a toll late on; taken wide, mid-division, good progress after 4 out, every chance entering straight, weakening when tried to refuse last, finished tired; likely to be much closer to form next time.

CLASS CONTI (FR) placed in the last 2 editions of this race, never managed to get competitive this time around, an early mistake placing him on the back foot; held up, blundered fourth, plugged on, never landed a blow.

EKLAT DE RIRE (FR) ran poorly, his jumping letting him down once again; led until fifth, remained prominent, clouted tenth, mistake 4 out, weakened before next.

CHRIS'S DREAM (IRE) easy to back, proved a let-down back at the scene of his last win over fences; raced well off the pace, not always fluent, beaten long way out.

EX PATRIOT (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, went backwards from reappearance; chased leaders, slow sixth, lost touch with principals before home turn, weakening when bad mistake 2 out.

FOXY JACKS (IRE) followed a good run with a below-par one; close up, went on fifth, headed when blundered eleventh, no threat from 4 out.

SMOKING GUN (IRE) ran no sort of race; soon detached, went in snatches, mistake seventh, in touch briefly early final circuit, beaten long way out.

AGUSTA GOLD (IRE) in first-time blinkers and tongue strap, all but came down at the first and was pulled up soon after.

BRAESIDE (IRE) is probably best forgiven this rare poor effort, Jack Kennedy subsequently reporting that his saddle slipped; mid-division, pushed along early final circuit, beaten 5 out, clouted next, pulled up soon after.

SCARLET AND DOVE (IRE) shaped a lot better than being pulled up would suggest, but will need to jump better is she is to make more of an impact in similar events; chased leaders, made mistakes, in contention entering straight, held when slow 3 out, pulled up before last.

BRAHMA BULL (IRE) largely consistent since failing to fire in this race last year, burst a blood vessel; in rear, not always fluent, beaten long way out.