LISTOWEL 16:15

Non Runners: NED STARK (IRE), MONBEG RIVER (IRE), BLACK SCORPION (IRE). Fences: 17.

Time: 5m 55.4s Closing Sectional: (3.25f): 46.4s (103.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 136%, Betfair SP 98.4%

A strongly-run renewal of one of Ireland’s more valuable handicap chases and, while a few of the runners weren’t seen to best effect the way things played out, most notably the eventual fourth, it still ought to prove strong handicap form, the first 2 home both posting improved efforts and immediately followed home by a trio of last-time-out winners in the absence of the well-treated Shantou Village, who was still very much in the mix when exiting late on.

POKER PARTY (FR) upped in trip, resumed progress and landed his biggest success to date, showing no ill-effects from his jumping mishap in the Galway Plate and looking right at home in a strongly-run affair that placed stamina at a premium; waited with, travelled well, took closer order from ninth, chased leaders 3 out, produced to lead next, ridden from last, all out to hold on; he's unexposed as a staying chaser.

RAVENHILL (IRE) back up in trip, improved another chunk and only narrowly failed to resume winning ways, all the more agonising considering his rider put up 1 lb overweight; held up, took closer order from seventh, chased leaders 3 out, ridden home turn, pecked slightly 2 out, stayed on, just failed; bordering on smart now, he will remain of interest in races of this nature if kept on the go over the winter months.

NA TRACHTALAI ABU (IRE) backed at long odds, took his form up another notch in defeat; held up, steady headway from early final circuit, ridden home turn, stayed on, never nearer.

INTERNAL TRANSFER shaped well after another 5 months off, going as if still ahead of his current mark but paying late on for making his effort earlier than ideal on the final circuit; never far away, jumped well in main, went with zest, went on before twelfth, headed 2 out, left in frame last, no extra; he's one to be interested in for a similar event, though it's worth noting that he appears best when fresh.

PRAVALAGUNA (FR) ran up to best, confirming her stamina for this sort of test in no uncertain terms; chased leaders, second 3 out, every chance next, one paced.

OSCAR KNIGHT (IRE) back over fences, bounced back to form in first-time blinkers without posing any sort of threat to the principals; soon steadied, not always fluent, ridden from 3 out, late headway.

ICANTSAY (IRE) shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, racing closer to the strong early pace than ideal; chased leaders, close up from seventh, ridden before 3 out (still third jumping that fence), faded.

ALL THE ANSWERS arrived on an upward curve and just about saw out the markedly longer trip without suggesting it'll prove anything like his optimum distance; raced off the pace, headway after 5 out, not fluent 4 out, in touch briefly home turn, shaken up before 2 out, one paced; remains open to improvement.

MOVEWITHTHETIMES (IRE) failed to justify support, the slightly longer trip coupled with the strong early gallop seemingly just proving beyond him; in touch, kept mistakes to minimum, ridden 3 out, weakened.

A TOI PHIL (FR) is struggling for form at present, the application of cheekpieces failing to have to a positive impact; raced off the pace, labouring from 5 out, never landed a blow.

SWINGBRIDGE (IRE) back over fences, never threatened from an early stage; always behind.

VALSEUR LIDO (FR) was well held in first-time blinkers; disputed lead until early final circuit, not fluent eleventh, dropped away quickly, did too much too soon.

DELL' ARCA (IRE) failed to complete; mid-division, fell seventh.

BARRA (FR) wasn in the process of running poorly when departing late on; raced off the pace, struggling 5 out, tailed off when fell heavily 2 out.

SHANTOU VILLAGE (IRE) was in the process of running well when departing late on after 6 months, his performance suggesting he clearly still has plenty to offer in this sphere despite the fact it's been nearly a year since his last completion; soon steadied, travelled well, headway between 5 out and 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden entering straight, every chance when unseated rider last (would have finished third at worst).

DRUMCLIFF (IRE) back up in trip, ran poorly returned to this sphere; mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon beaten.

SOME NECK (FR) was typically let down by his jumping pitched back into a more competitive scenario in first-time blinkers, looking devoid of confidence late on; mid-field, jumped tentatively, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out.

YORKHILL (IRE) back up in trip, didn't see his race out under an overly-aggressive ride; disputed lead, went on early final circuit, untidy eleventh, headed before next, weakened from 4 out, pulled up 2 out, did too much too soon.