LISTOWEL 16:25

Non Runners: REAL STEEL (FR), TULLYBEG (IRE), ASH TREE MEADOW (FR), TOSS AGAIN (IRE). Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 6.2s Closing Sectional: (3.25f): 45.1s (110%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 102.8%

This looked a good renewal of one of Ireland's more valuable staying handicaps and, even though it served up a few individual disappointments and a litany of jumping errors, it's hard not to take an extremely positive view of the pair of progressive novices that came to the fore in the closing stages, on what was just their fourth outing over fences; the pace was fair, though those held up struggled to get involved.

DESERTMORE HOUSE (IRE) who had only snuck into the race at the last minute as the first reserve (somewhat ironically as a result of the runner-up's yard withdrawing a pair of their intended runners),was well supported in the moments before the race and continued the steep upward curve that has typified his chasing career to date, jumping like an old hand and again proving far too strong for his rivals at the finish; mid-field, took closer order circuit out, ridden from home turn, stayed on to lead last, well on top finish; he's likely to remain a fixture in valuable handicaps this season, with races such as the Troytown and possibly even one of the 4 Grand Nationals sure to now be in connections' sights (will stay further than 25f).

SALVADOR ZIGGY (IRE) much like the winner, has quickly adapted very well to life over fences and ran a fine race in search of a 4-timer, posting a very smart performance from a lofty mark on his handicap chase debut, giving best only to a strong stayer; touch, travelled well, took closer order from 4 out, went on entering straight, headed last, no extra final 100 yds; he remains a high-class chaser in the making.

FOXY JACKS (IRE) quickly got back on track and ran the race of his life despite once again being held back by his jumping to some extent, doing well to get back up for third after one particularly big error late on; close up, jumped rightt, led before fourth, headed before 5 out, remained prominent, fifth when clouted 2 out, kept on again run-in.

AUTHORIZED ART (FR) again ran up to his best and needs no excuses, a pair of unexposed novices and a rejuvenated veteran just too strong for him in the end; chased leaders, ridden from home turn, third when blundered last, one paced.

THE GOFFER (IRE) stepped up on his recent run in a first-time tongue strap, doing best of those held up and again showing enough to suggest he's got another big pot in him when everything falls right; raced off the pace, headway after 3 out, ridden home turn, plugged on.

CHEMICAL ENERGY (IRE) ran creditably after 5 months off, though he again found his jumping coming under pressure in a large-field scenario; soon led, headed before fourth, mistake sixth, hit tenth, led again before 5 out, headed again entering straight, faded.

GABBYS CROSS (IRE) ran one of his better races without carrying much of a threat, albeit in a race in which those held up struggled to get competitive; held up, not fluent twelfth, some headway after 3 out, never on terms.

STUMPTOWN (IRE) stepped up on his reappearance run, though he's yet to rediscover the verve/enthusiasm that characterised his quick rise up the handicap ranks last season; chased leaders, shuffled back 4 out, ridden from next, one paced.

AIN'T THAT A SHAME (IRE) has gone well fresh in the past but shaped as if better for the run this time around after 5 months off; waited with, not settle fully, headway when slow 3 out, ridden home turn, one paced.

LIFE IN THE PARK (IRE) wasn't disgraced in terms of form and might have been closer but for a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes as things were taking shape after 10 weeks off; raced off the pace, headway when awkward 5 out, bad mistake 3 out, never landed a blow.

HURRICANE GEORGIE (IRE) ran below form; dropped out, never dangerous.

CIEL DE NEIGE (FR) failed to build on the promise of last run; mid-field, mistake tenth, not fluent 4 out and 3 out, soon beaten.

BORN BY THE SEA (IRE) wasn't at his best back in handicap company; mid-division, lost place early final circuit, behind from 4 out.

STEALTHY TOM (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day; mid-field, lost place when slow 3 out, not persevered with once held.

A WAVE OF THE SEA (IRE) was let down by his jumping; mid-field, not fluent 5 out, bad mistake next, tailed off.

CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK was never able to find any sort of rhythm and was beaten a long way; raced off the pace, jumped none too fluently, tailed off when pulled up 2 out.

GEVREY (FR) shaped much better than being pulled up suggests back over fences; in touch, yet to be asked for effort when bad mistake 3 out, pulled up before next.