WARWICK 15:00

All 13 ran. Fences: 22.

Time: 7m 45s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 63s (95.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 102.5%

There might not have been quite the depth there sometimes is to this race, but a good pace from the outset ensured there was no hiding place, jumping at a premium as well, and the relative youngster Notachance coped admirably on both counts, pushed hardest by a horse returning from 14 months off; this race can be a stepping stone to the Grand National, most notably in recent years in the case of One For Arthur, but the winner seems more likely for Ayr than Aintree in the spring.

NOTACHANCE (IRE) had been targeted at this since his reappearance and duly followed up from Bangor after 9 weeks off, only just 7 but seeing the much longer trip out thoroughly, looking the type with even more to offer in other top-end staying handicaps; in touch, untidy fourteenth but jumped soundly in main, chased leaders sixteenth, produced to lead home turn, tackled from 2 out, responded well; the Scottish National is reportedly the aim in the spring, the stable's Godsmejudge having gone on to win that as a 7-y-o in 2013 after a near-miss in this.

ACHILLE (FR) proved better than ever returning from 14 months off, this just his second start since the end of the 2018/19 season, pushing the lightly-raced winner all the way; patiently ridden, steady headway back straight, in contention out wide home turn, not fluent 2 out, every chance last, looked to be seen off 100 yds out but closed down winner again near line; it remains to be seen when he'll be out again but there are still races to be won with him, with veterans' company an option.

LE BREUIL (FR) who'd had a breathing operation since last seen, shaped like he wasn't quite at concert pitch, hardly a surprise given the Grand National is the aim, though he's dropped enough in the weights over the past 12 months that he'll have a job getting into the race as things stand; chased leaders, outpaced seventeenth, only seventh taking 3 out but rallied back into third latter stages.

CAPTAIN CHAOS (IRE) second in this race last year, looked to have been targeted at it once more, the blinkers refitted after 7 weeks off, and he duly went with way more spark than previously this season, the forcing tactics possibly overdone a shade; led, ridden after 5 out, headed home turn, one paced.

LATE ROMANTIC (IRE) shaped as if still in good form stepping back out of veterans' company, ultimately leaving the impression that a thorough test over this trip stretched him slightly; in rear, blundered fourteenth, crept closer 5 out, switched after next, every chance leaving back straight, one paced latter stages.

BALLYOPTIC (IRE) was far closer to form than previously this season after 7 weeks off, this a more realistic assignment but still a big ask, fully exposed as he is; held up, blundered seventh, untidy next, headway seventeenth, in contention 3 out, no extra from home turn.

PETITE POWER (IRE) was third in this race last year but has yet to hit form this season, this a very lacklustre effort, admittedly from 12 lb out of the handicap; raced well off the pace, never travelling well, reminders after fourth, labouring circuit out, behind when pulled up sixteenth.

DIDERO VALLIS (FR) from 4 lb out of the handicap, ran badly back over regulation fences, beaten well before stamina concerns would have come into play; mid-field, lost place eleventh, labouring fifteenth, pulled up 5 out.

DJANGO DJANGO (FR) wasn't without support with Johnson getting down to 10-0 to ride (2 lb out of the handicap) but failed to find first-time cheekpieces or the step up in trip reviving what has been a very disappointing season thus far; held up, crept closer thirteenth, untidy next, not fluent seventeenth, behind when pulled up 3 out.

RED INFANTRY (IRE) faced a stiff assignment on his first start for 15 months and his next run will reveal more as to how much ability remains; in rear, blundered second, struggling early final circuit, behind when pulled up sixteenth.

STORM CONTROL (IRE) had more on his plate, both in terms of his new mark and the longer trip, away from Cheltenham too, and he wasn't up to it, shaping as if all might not have been quite right in the end so quickly did he weaken; chased leader, effort when untidy 4 out, not fluent next, faltered and pulled up soon after.

THE HOLLOW GINGE (IRE) 7 days on from unseating in the Welsh National, ran no sort of race, his good fourth in the Ladbrokes Trophy the only time he's finished a race this season; mid-division, not fluent ninth, lost place entering back straight, pulled up seventeenth.

WALK IN THE MILL (FR) wasn't on a going day at all, whether that be due to the effects of his fall in the Becher or just not taking to the first-time blinkers; raced wide, mid-division, mistake seventh and lost place quickly, appearing to down tools (pulled up circuit out).