PLUMPTON 14:40

All 11 ran. Fences: 20. Race Distance Adjustment: +63 yds

Time: 7m 46.9s Closing Sectional: (3.60f): 56.60s (103.3%)

A competitive Sussex National featuring several progressive young chasers and, though one of that group - the favourite - was an early faller the form still has a strong look to it among the front 4; they only went an ordinary gallop, placing the emphasis more on speed than might have been expected in the conditions.

CHRISTMAS IN APRIL (FR) stepping out of novice company for the first time having been raised just 3 lb for last win, was suited - as expected - by the longer trip and ran his best race to take down a nice pot; never far away, jumped well in main (though shade low at times), travelled best, jumped on ninth, left a couple of lengths in front 3 out, effort entering straight, driven clear; he's clearly responded well to the fitting of cheekpieces/switch to positive tactics and looks the type to do even better as his stamina is drawn out.

UALLRIGHTHARRY (IRE) improved a bit further over the longest trip he's faced, better to focus on his overall profile rather than his head carriage in the closing stages; mid-field, taken wide, headway after 5 out, lost place 4 out (possibly not helped by Sackett's mistake), got back into contention and threatened between last 2, carried head bit awkwardly and not quicken run-in; he's taken really well to chasing and can win more races.

RATHLIN ROSE (IRE) found it easier dropped in grade from the Welsh National and returned to form, clearly still plenty of life left in him at the age of 12, belatedly proving himself at further than 25f, when the emphasis is more on speed, at least; held up, travelled better than most, took closer order after eighth, awkward 5 out, threatened entering straight, one paced between last 2; connections will welcome this return to form ahead of his Cup Final, next month's Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown.

BELLE EMPRESS ran at least as well in defeat as when winning the time before and wasn't seen to best effect; mid-field, hit fourteenth, pecked 5 out, headway when denied a run home turn, faded from 2 out; still seems on a fair mark and remains unexposed at this sort of trip.

VINNIE LEWIS (IRE) who won this race in 2018, was below form on what was officially his first start for 11 weeks (ran in void race at Sandown in early-December); prominent, pecked fifteenth, 5 out, dropped away after 3 out.

WESTSTREET (IRE) back in headgear, is yet to fire this season; raced off the pace, not fluent first, ridden fifteenth, left behind after 4 out.

GARRANE (IRE) looked well worth another try at this sort of trip but, easy to back late on, ran below form in first-time cheekpieces; mid-field, driven twelfth, no threat before 4 out.

BILLY BRONCO added to a patchy record after 6 weeks off; raced off the pace, labouring circuit out.

HARD TO FORGET (IRE) strong in the betting despite being up 8 lb for winning an uncompetitive race last time, got no further than the third.

SACKETT shaped as if back in form returning to chasing after 9 weeks off, paying for several fairly uncharacteristic errors; led, hit eighth, 4 out, headed eleventh, lost place when clouted 3 out, not recover.

THE CALLER was given more of a break (7 weeks) but fared no better than last time; mid-field, lost place ninth, struggling circuit out.