PUNCHESTOWN 17:55

All 9 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 26.9s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 55.6s (99.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.2%

A terrific renewal of the Punchestown Gold Cup, all 9 runners having at least one Grade 1 success over fences to their name, their number including 2 Cheltenham Gold Cup victors, the last 2 winners of this race, plus the reigning title-holders of both the King George VI Chase and Savills Chase; as it turned out, none of the established stayers could lay a glove on dual Ryanair Chase winner Allaho, who proved a class apart in replicating his trademark unrelenting from-the-front tactics back up in trip.

ALLAHO (FR) seems far more the finished article than when last tried at 3m and, well backed, fully translated his top-notch form over shorter trips to rout a strong field of established stayers - he'll presumably be kept apart from A Plus Tard (same owner) and Galopin des Champs (same trainer) in the short term and may well be aimed at the Ryanair Chase again next spring, but it's worth noting that he's got a higher Timeform rating than either of that pair, who currently head the ante-post betting for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Allaho 3 times their price; made all, typically travelled strongly, tended to jump left at times but also largely fluent as usual, drew clear from home turn, kept up to work.

CLAN DES OBEAUX (FR) might have taken a short while to warm up after missing the break but essentially needs no excuses, simply bumping into a top-notch rival here - indeed, it reflects well on him that he could mix it with that rival for so long; dwelt, short of room first, rushed up into second place at the third, going well when blundered 4 out, left behind by winner from home turn, plugged on.

AL BOUM PHOTO (FR) had probably just needed the run at Cheltenham after a troubled preparation and returned to form, splitting the 2 horses who'd just got the better of him on both previous appearances in this race; in touch, travelled well, hit tenth, shaken up home turn, kept on straight.

KEMBOY (FR) had put up a career-best effort when winning this race back in 2019 and rolled back the years in first-time cheekpieces/with a new jockey, a late error arguably even costing him second; in touch, challenged from home turn, keeping on in a share of second when stumbled badly 2 out, not recover.

FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES (FR) didn't noticeably fail for stamina back up in trip, the combination of waiting tactics (first 4 held those positions most of the way) and stiffer opposition than on his last 2 starts largely explaining why he failed to make more of an impact; patiently ridden, still plenty to do halfway, went fifth 5 out, shuffled back again home turn, plugged on straight.

GALVIN (IRE) increasingly seems flattered by his Savills Chase defeat of A Plus Tard, his other 3 tries at Grade 1 level arguably a more accurate reflection of his standing towards the top of the staying divsion, again lacking the pace to land a serious blow here; mid-division, not always fluent, lost place 5 out, ridden next, lost touch from 3 out.

TORNADO FLYER (IRE) jumped okay in the main this time and just seemed outclassed, last winter's shock King George win very much a standout effort on his recent CV; waited with, mistake twelfth, brief headway 3 out, not sustain effort.

JANIDIL (FR) failed to complete again, possibly not over his heavy fall at Fairyhouse for all that he faced a stiff task here; dropped out, still well off pace when pulled up after tenth.

MINELLA INDO (IRE) actually led Allaho in their head-to-head record before this but he's struggled for consistency since his 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup win and ran no sort of race tried in a tongue strap, this miserable display rather foretold by how weak he was in the betting; close up early, lost place third, never going well from over circuit out, behind when eventually pulled up eleventh.