AYR 16:10 33t5

Non Runners: FINE RIGHTLY (IRE), GOLD FUTURES (IRE). Fences: 27.

Time: 8m 24.6s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 36.4s (109%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 144%, Betfair SP 99.9%

A typically open and competitive renewal of this great race, the field bolstered by a handful that had missed out on a run at Aintree the previous week, as well as a smattering of useful novices, a group that has a good record in this race over the years; it was typically attritional, though as so often it was no race for sluggards, plenty of those in trouble off the pace a long way from home; 3 of the first 5 home were novices, the winner and third, unfortunate not to be second, among them, making what was an excellent test under the conditions look form worth viewing positively.

VICENTE (FR) stepped up a fair bit on his run in the NH Chase, relishing this sort of stamina test at the second attempt, as befits a son of Dom Alco, and that despite his jumping not being as polished as it might have been, that a slight concern going forward; mid-division, not always fluent, smooth headway twenty-second, shaken up after 4 out, led last, kept on well, ridden out; he'll presumably have similar races on the agenda in the next season, with Aintree obviously a possible target.

ALVARADO (IRE) fared best of those that had missed out on a run in the Grand National the previous week, ridden much more handily (as suits this track) than he usually is at Aintree, bang there early in the straight and rallying well; presumably a campaign in veterans races with a view to getting up the weights enough to run at Aintree again will be the aim for the autumn.

SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT ran a cracker over this much longer trip, likely to have finished second without a mistake at the last; prominent, went with enthusiasm, led 4 out, ridden soon after, headed when mistake last, not quicken run-in; he looks made for these sorts of races and presumably similar events, perhaps even Aintree, will be on the agenda next season.

ROYALE KNIGHT ran well off what looked a stiff enough mark after 8 weeks off, his stable firing at the moment, this sort of test once again looking right up his street; mid-division, headway twentieth, every chance 2 out, one paced; he just missed out on a run in the Grand National and presumably will have getting in that as his aim next season.

VYTA DU ROC (FR) well backed, was one of the least exposed and ran creditably, despite not fully relishing this much longer trip; held up, travelled well, steady headway early final circuit, shaken up 4 out, one paced next; he's shown an aptitude for this sort of big-field handicap and it would be no surprise to see him make an impact in such races over shorter in the autumn.

SUN CLOUD (IRE) wasn't disgraced, this just too competitive for him; held up, mistake second, labouring long way out, well behind circuit out, plugged on.

MILBOROUGH (IRE) wasn't disgraced, though he never threatened to get involved; in touch, labouring early final circuit, plugged on straight, never on .

MASTERS HILL (IRE) upped in trip, emerged with plenty of credit in a much more competitive race than he usually contests, just doing a bit too much in front; went with enthusiasm, made most until 4 out, weakened 2 out; he might be the right sort for the Becher in the autumn.

MILANSBAR (IRE) was involved for a long way before being left behind in the straight, far from discredited, his gruelling race last time perhaps a factor.

SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) fared no better in first-time cheekpieces, perhaps not over his exertions last time and typically not jumping well enough for a race of this nature; raced off the pace, off the bridle before most, mistakes from ninth, never on .

TOP WOOD (FR) upped markedly in trip, as at Cheltenham didn't get the chance to show fully what he could in a big-field handicap, while leaving the impression that he's in decent form, his jumping again the flaw; waited with, travelled well, headway fifteenth, effort when fell twenty-second.

MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE) well backed, didn't give his ers much of a run for their money; in rear, mistake first, fell third.

PINEAU DE RE (FR) whose absence from the Grand National field had caused a kerfuffle, was running at least respectably when he departed late on; raced off the pace, travelled well, not fluent eighth, headway when mistake twenty-second, not quicken 4 out, unseated rider next; he's obviously nearing the end of his career, though a final go at the Becher might be an option in the autumn.

FOLSOM BLUE (IRE) was shaping well until he departed, still in good form, even if it was too far out to say where he would have finished; waited with, travelled well, still going well when brought down twenty-second.

TOUR DES CHAMPS (FR) ran poorly after just 14 days off, unwilling as much as anything; soon behind, bad mistake fifth, took little interest, pulled up before halfway; temperament under suspicion.

HEATHFIELD (IRE) who attracted back over fences, ran no sort of race; in rear, mistake tenth, labouring badly over circuit out, pulled up.

BALLYCULLA (IRE) in change of headgear, was let down by his jumping for the second time in 3 starts, both in big-field handicaps; close up, made mistakes, led briefly eighth, ridden circuit out, pulled up twenty-second.

STRAIDNAHANNA (IRE) was upped markedly in trip, but just found this much too competitive; mid-field, mistake twelfth, lost place back straight, pulled up twenty-third.

HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) after 4 months off, was running here after missing the cut for the Grand National the week previously and turned in one of his lesser efforts, consistency never his strong point; held up, headway when mistake tenth, labouring twenty-first, bad mistake next, pulled up.

BEREA BORU (IRE) upped markedly in trip and in first-time cheekpieces, just didn't cope with the demands of the race, the ground possibly not as testing as ideal either; held up, made mistakes, labouring badly eleventh, pulled up circuit out.

GOLDEN CHIEFTAIN (IRE) mid-division, headway twenty-first, weakened after 4 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up, fatally injured.

A GOOD SKIN (IRE) upped markedly in trip, just wasn't in the same form as last time; held up, mistakes fourth and sixteenth, ridden twenty-first, never on , pulled up before 4 out.

SPOOKYDOOKY (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, had been involved in a very gruelling race 4 weeks previously and just wasn't in the same form; held up, ridden when mistake twenty-first, pulled up straight.

GOODTOKNOW upped in trip, had a lot more on in this company and just found things much too competitive; handy, mistake fifteenth, weakening when blundered twenty-third, pulled up straight.

MIDNIGHT PRAYER had run well previously in the right sort of races and seemed sure to benefit from the return to 4m, but he turned in a lacklustre display; held up, soon off bridle, pulled up twenty-second.

EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE) ran no sort of race after 3 months off, this not the race to bring out the best in him; raced off the pace, labouring badly thirteenth, pulled up early final circuit.

DOLATULO (FR) might have been better off running in the Topham, not an out-and-out stayer, but in the event he was beaten well before that became an issue; held up, mistake twelfth, labouring nineteenth, pulled up twenty-third.

CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) running here off his new mark having missed the cut for the Grand National the week previously, just ran no sort of race; in rear, not always fluent, soon off bridle, tailed off after ninth, pulled up twenty-second.