PUNCHESTOWN 14:30

All 6 ran. Fences: 15.

Time: 5m 17.8s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 47.6s (117%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 99%

Willie Mullins saddled 5 of the 6 runners in his bid for a sixth straight win in the John Durkan yet victory went to the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow, who again lowered the colours of 2022 winner Galopin des Champs, the latter looking rusty and clearly below par in a race which developed into a test of speed - as in the preceding Craddockstown Novices' Chase, it became something of a sprint from the home turn and the bare form has a muddling look to it, particularly as the early gallop was even slower here.

FASTORSLOW (FR) has come a long way since being sent off the 66/1 outsider of 6 in last year's renewal and underlined his Grade 1 credentials with a winning return from 7 months off (easy to back), in the process claiming a second successive verdict over Galopin des Champs - the latter clearly wasn't at his best here, whilst the proximity of others limits the view that can be taken of the bare form, but Fastorslow is clearly an emerging force who seems set to be a leading player in whichever races he turns up in this season; raced in third travelling smoothly, not fluent eighth (fluent otherwise), went second back straight, quickened to lead run-in despite his rider dropping the whip and essentially well on top finish.

APPRECIATE IT (IRE) had the run of things on this return from 7 months off and is likely to prove flattered in splitting the Punchestown Gold Cup first 2, though he looked much more straightforward under his first front-running ride in a while, prominent tactics the way to go with him from now on; dictated, jumped boldly, kicked on after 3 out, responded well for pressure for all that was collared on run-in.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (FR) was disappointing after 7 months off, the fact he couldn't overhaul stable-companion Appreciate It (let alone his Punchestown conqueror Fastorslow) an illustration that he was some way below his best - it's possible longer trips suit him ideally nowadays (he again lacked the zip which characterised his novice campaign) and that he'll be a good deal sharper for this run, particularly in the jumping department, but he's clearly lost some of the aura built up when effectively unbeaten on his first 7 starts in this sphere; waited with, not fluent in first half of race, in contention when forced slightly wide home turn, challenged last 2, keeping on when short of room run-in but essentially third best at the time anyway.

BLUE LORD (FR) falls just below the very best Grade 1 performers but should still pay his way again this winter, particularly as he's likely to sharper for this first run in 7 months; patiently ridden, travelled well, took closer order home turn, challenged from 2 out, still close up but already seemingly fourth best when blundered last (fluent otherwise), no extra run-in.

ASTERION FORLONGE (FR) might have needed the run after 6 months off but this was still a low-key return to chasing, his form having plateaued when last seen in this sphere back in 2021/22; dropped out, not fluent tenth, never landed a blow.

STATTLER (IRE) needs further than this nowadays but still made a disconcerting return from 8 months off, for which he was fitted with a first-time tongue strap after his lifeless display in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup; chased leader early, shuffled back some way out, first beaten.