LEOPARDSTOWN 15:00

All 12 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 6m 8.9s Closing Sectional: (4.4f): 66.3s (102%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 101.4%

A change of name for this Grade 1 chase, but the outcome was the same, one carrying the Gigginstown colours coming out on top for the fourth year in a row, Road To Respect leading home a 1-2-3 for the battalion in maroon and white who also had the fifth and sixth for good measure; it wasn't the contest that many were expecting, however, with Sizing John and Djakadam clearly not 100% and Yorkhill failing to stay after forcing the pace, so it was probably no more than an average renewal.

ROAD TO RESPECT (IRE) in first-time hood, resumed winning ways to continue his remarkable rise up through the chasing ranks, not needing to improve much to go one better than in the JN Wine, which leaves him with a bit to find still to be considered in the same bracket as the likes of Might Bite and Sizing John, but has time on his side, only rising 7 after all; mid-division, steady headway before 3 out, stumbled between 3 out and 2 out, produced to lead, driven out; if he runs again before Cheltenham it will reportedly be in the Irish Gold Cup back here in February, but connections also have Disko for that race.

BALKO DES FLOS (FR) seemed to excel himself back up in trip/grade, the return to a sounder surface clearly a help but his proximity casts some doubt on the overall value of the form, although, on the plus side, has more options with regards trip now; made running, jumped much better than last time, headed fifth, remained prominent, led again 5 out, collared last, kept on (saw things out remarkably well in the circumstances); remains to be seen if able to back this up.

OUTLANDER (IRE) more miss than hit since winning this race last year, was quickly back on track after flopping at Haydock, but couldn't quite confirm Down Royal form with the winner; tracked pace, pushed along after 2 out, effort when carried left last, one paced.

MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) retried in cheekpieces but without usual tongue strap, took a major step back in the right direction with Mark Walsh in the saddle for the first time; waited with, avoided mistakes, headway under pressure 2 out, stayed on; will head to Cheltenham with each-way claims again, though the Grand National is likely to be on his agenda this year.

VALSEUR LIDO (FR) not seen since finishing fourth in this race 12 months ago, shaped as if retaining ability, the lack of a recent run possibly taking a toll late on; patiently ridden, took closer order 2 out, ridden entering straight, no extra run-in.

ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) in first-time tongue strap, has regularly come up short at this level and ran about as well as could have been expected; mid-division, in touch 2 out, merely plugged on.

SIZING JOHN tasting defeat for the first time since no match for Douvan in the Dial-A-Bet at this meeting last year, can have a line put through this run, reportedly found to be clinically abnormal post race; mid-division, not fluent fifth, headway before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, beaten when untidy last, not unduly punished.

YORKHILL (IRE) shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests after 9 months off, still a close third turning for home after going with typical exuberance at the head of affairs, his jumping having held up well for the most part, but ultimately left the impression that he will prove best at short of 3m; chased leaders, tanked along, pulled way to front fifth, led until blundered 5 out, remained prominent, faded early in straight, finished tired, not knocked about; well worth another chance.

ZABANA (IRE) mid-division until fell eighth; unfortunately, he was reported to have suffered a fatal injury.

CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) ran no sort of race; raced well off the pace, labouring badly early final circuit, tailed off some way out, pulled up before last, possibly amiss.

DJAKADAM (FR) turned in a rare poor effort, possibly finding this coming too soon after the John Durkan, worth noting that all 3 who had contested that race at Punchestown just over 2 weeks ago flopped badly here; chased leaders, lost place 4 out, blundered next, behind when pulled up before last; type to bouce back quickly.

EDWULF faced a stiff task in this grade, went with little encouragement; in rear, tailed off some way out, pulled up before 2 out.