UTTOXETER 15:00

Non Runners: SPORTING ACE (IRE). Fences: 25.

Time: 9m 21.7s Closing Sectional: (2.7f): 44.9s (99.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 133%, Betfair SP 96.3%

Just 5 of the 16 that set off completed the course in an especially gruelling Midlands National and, among them, only the first 3 ever counted in a race in which sustaining progress from out the back seemed nigh-on impossible; that said, the second and third both have sound form in big staying handicaps and the winner evidently thrived for a uniquely demanding test of stamina, so the result among them looks sound.

ISAAC DES OBEAUX (FR) proved better than ever as he caused a surprise, the improvement prompted by him relishing an extreme test; prominent, jumped soundly, effort before 2 out, led when collided with runner-up last, driven clear; he'll probably need a similar scenario to repeat this sort of form.

ROCK MY WAY (IRE) couldn't be faulted at all in terms of jumping this time and ran a cracker from the front; soon led, jumped boldly, effort after 2 out, headed when bumped last, no extra; he didn't quite get home when fifth in last season's Scottish National but is evidently an even stronger stayer this season.

GIT MAKER (FR) went more sweetly faced with a proper test in the mud and looked about as good as ever; prominent, jumped soundly, effort 3 out, no extra before last; he finished third in the Scottish National back in 2024 but wouldn't be sure to repeat this faced with less testing conditions if returning to Ayr next month.

GRAND ALBERT (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, never any threat to the first 3 but making more progress from off the pace than most, lack of stamina also a likely issue for all his rider managed to get him to the finish; patiently ridden, in touch seventeenth, shaken up 4 out, no further impression; there are easier handicaps open to him than the ones he's contested on his last 3 outings.

BODHISATTVA (IRE) completed when most didn't but was at no stage even close to being in the hunt; his mark has come down and he needs his sights lowering again.

CATCH CATCHFIRE looked better than being pulled up suggests but it was a rather odd effort, losing his place through sketchy jumping before staging a brief rally; mid-division, mistake seventh, off pace after, hit tenth, struggling when clouted eighteenth, progress out wide twentieth, weakened after 4 out; maybe it's time for some sterner headgear.

DE LEGISLATOR (IRE) without usual headgear, again ran poorly, jumping sketchily in last and never threatening any headway.

MINELLA BLUEWAY (IRE) found this too competitive regardless of any stamina limitations; mid-division, beaten early final circuit; he's been hard to predict this season.

NEO KING (FR) was much better than being pulled up suggests, making more ground than any from off the pace until that effort told against him; held up, headway twentieth, went fourth home turn, still in that position but making no further headway when pulled up before 2 out; there should still be long-distance handicaps in him.

ALCEDO (IRE) shaped as if still in good form until the much longer trip found him out; prominent, weakened 4 out.

J'ARRIVE DE L'EST (FR) had shaped well in 2 cross-country races since joining this stable and was strong in the betting, but this was a markedly different test, including in terms of the necessary stamina, and he failed to cope, his rider later reporting that the gelding had made a respiratory noise; in touch, mistakes ninth, nineteenth, weakened 5 out; he remains one to view positively, especially back in cross-country events.

JUPITER ALLEN (FR) found mistakes taking their toll up in trip in a better-class handicap; held up, mistakes thirteenth, fourteenth, twentieth, weakened 5 out.

AWORKINPROGRESS (IRE) probably remains in form but the longer trip and a series of mistakes combined to find him out in a race in which his usual come-from-behind tactics weren't much use; held up, mistakes third, eighth, eighteenth, progress before 5 out, no further impression; his prolific record suggests he'll bounce back.

COLLECTORS ITEM (IRE) ran badly once more; in touch, lost place thirteenth, beaten when mistake twentieth.

DEAFENING SILENCE (IRE) turned in a rare poor effort; mid-division, pushed along circuit out, mistake eighteenth, blundered twentieth, pulled up.

MY IMMORTAL (IRE) ran badly, never looking like repeating the forward-going tactics employed to success at Punchestown; raced wide, mid-division, bumped sixth, off pace twelfth, well held early final circuit.