HAYDOCK PARK 15:15

Non Runners: BALLYOPTIC (IRE). Fences: 22. Race Distance Adjustment: -160 yds

Time: 7m 38s Closing Sectional: (2.90f): 47.30s (98.7%)

A Grand National trial in name but most of these are unlikely to have Aintree in their plans in truth and it's not a race that has traditionally proved a pointer towards the big race itself; nevertheless, this was a quality staying handicap in its own right, although not many actually gave their running on the day in what was an understandably gruelling affair run at a good pace.

SMOOTH STEPPER hadn't won for almost 2 years but, even from slightly out of the weights, was running off 2 lb lower than for that last success and proved at least as good as ever at the age of 11 faced with a searching stamina test that really suited; in touch early, off pace after fifth, headway 5 out, took second 2 out, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, driven out; the Midlands Grand National is a possible target now but he's not certain to be in the same form next time.

LORD DU MESNIL (FR) couldn't complete the 4-timer but went close to doing so and put up yet another career-best performance from a mark 25 lb higher than when his winning run started in November; never far away, travelled strongly, jumped on tenth, ridden before 2 out, headed final 100 yds, held after but kept on and was well clear of remainder; this proves that he's progressed into a smart chaser and the level of form would entitle him to a place in the RSA or National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but there'd have to be a doubt whether he'd get close to repeating this at a very different track as he's clearly exceptionally well suited by the demands of Haydock.

YALA ENKI (FR) ran respectably in a race that he won from 9 lb lower in 2018; prominent, hit 5 out, pushed along before next, held between 3 out and 2 out, plugged on; a short break could do him after a few hard races and he'll most likely be freshened up ahead of the Grand National itself.

THE TWO AMIGOS shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, getting tired, and although he handles very testing ground maybe over a marathon trip slightly less demanding conditions are his optimum; led, typically travelled well, headed tenth, remained prominent, lost second 2 out, stumbled there, weakened; he could be set for a slight drop in the weights now and isn't one to write off.

VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) under a surprising change of jockey, wasn't in the same form as last time but has shot up to a career-high mark after last month's win here and looks too high in the weights now; chased leaders, outpaced from thirteenth, struggling 5 out, beaten when not fluent next.

POBBLES BAY (IRE) had plenty on from out of the handicap but ran poorly, anyway; held up, labouring fifteenth, never on terms.

ELEGANT ESCAPE (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day, returning from 7 weeks off with a tongue strap fitted having also undergone wind surgery; mid-division, made mistakes, lost place after thirteenth, tailed off seventeenth, pulled up.

GERONIMO is better judged on previous form as one blunder basically did for him here; mid-division, bad mistake fifteenth, soon done with, pulled up.

ONE FOR ARTHUR (IRE) ran no sort of race in first-time cheekpieces after 10 weeks off; in rear, not always fluent, never travelling well, pulled up before fifteenth, later reported to have a fibrillating heart (also lost a shoe).

STEELY ADDITION (IRE) shaped much better than being pulled up suggests, possibly failing for a combination of lack of stamina and fitness returning from 3 months off over the longest trip he's tried, either that or there was a problem of sorts; mid-division, travelled better than most, tracked pace thirteenth, every chance leaving back straight but folded tamely and pulled up 3 out.