PUNCHESTOWN 18:35

All 6 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 28.5s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 51.4s (107.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 98.2%

A rare top-level Punchestown reverse for the highest-profile trainer called Mullins, even with the de Bromhead-trained favourite out of the race after halfway, circumstances reflective of a rather substandard group of staying novices for the yard - most of whose chasing careers haven't gone smoothly - but also a big step forward from an imaginatively-campaigned winner.

FERONILY (IRE) broke the stranglehold of the dominant Mullins in the premier events on the card, seeing off 4 from that yard in this alone, yet another in this stable reaping the benefit of some trademark creative campaigning by his connections, a first season that began in a point then a couple of bumpers ending with a Grade 1 novice chase success as he went one better than on a chasing debut that had seen him split seasoned pair Bachasson and Chacun Pour Soi pitched straight into open company; an even more positive ride and some jumping that belied his lack of experience proved key, seeing off the favourite for the lead before halfway and then finding plenty to turn away the chasing Mullins hordes; he's so unexposed that he'll have bright hopes of bridging the gap to top-level staying chases in 2023/24.

APPRECIATE IT (IRE) will ultimately end his season with some smart form in the book, his jumping not agile enough in the heat of the race, that much more of an issue than the longer trip as he saw things out well tried tongue tied; in touch, he chased the leader from the tenth and still looked a danger when untidy 3 out and more so at the next, not especially fluent at the last, either, before rallying well inside the final 100 yds.

JAMES DU BERLAIS (FR) did more to suggest he's back in his best nick since a winning chasing bow, the step up to 3m appearing to stretch him; patiently ridden, good progress on inner home turn, threatened briefly, weakening when slow last.

CLASSIC GETAWAY (IRE) didn't look out of place but, clearly not robust, ultimately failed to see things out having missed another 5 months since his winning chasing bow; waited with, not fluent fourth, good progress after 5 out, pushed along straight, found less than looked likely.

JOURNEY WITH ME (IRE) endured a miserable Punchestown experience for the second time in as many years, kept fresher this time having skipped Cheltenham/Aintree but seeing his jumping go to pieces after Feronily had taken him on for the lead, firing warning shots at the ninth (bad error) and tenth before crashing out a couple of fences later.

SIR GERHARD (IRE) is best excused this run, kept busy in recent weeks after missing most of the season and making too many mistakes to give himself any chance of stretching his stamina for 3m at the second attempt, dropping away 3 out (later found to have suffered cut leg).