AINTREE 15:00

Non Runners: BORN SURVIVOR (IRE). Fences: 10.

Time: 5m 2.1s Closing Sectional: (3.15f): 45.6s (104.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 99.4%

All fences in the home straight were omitted due to the low trajectory of the sun

Something of a throwback to years gone by thanks to the presence of Frodon - the highest-rated horse to take part in the Old Roan since another illustrious former Ditcheat inmate Master Minded was turned over at odds on in 2011 - though the race was rather spoilt by the 3 fences in the home straight not being jumped on either circuit due to low sun, the winner very much the beneficiary of that and the speed test the race became, Frodon the most inconvenienced, though the way he was left behind by the first pair late suggests the run was needed in any case.

FOREST BIHAN (FR) without usual cheekpieces, ran up to his best to gain his first win over fences in more than 2 years, though he was seen to maximum effect thanks to the test of speed this became with the home-straight fences omitted on both circuits, best not to take this performance too literally as a result, the terrific form of his stable and the fact he was the only one of the 5 with a run under his belt this autumn other reasons to think he'd struggle to confirm form with the second and third another day; patiently ridden, crept closer out wide end of back straight, smooth headway passing usual 3 out, produced to lead passing usual last, quickened clear.

KALASHNIKOV (IRE) produced a perfectly encouraging first run outside of novice company after 7 months off, at least matching anything he did last year, the test of speed this became suiting the winner (who'd already had a run this autumn) that bit better; he wasn't fluent at the first and blundered at the second but soon warmed into a good rhythm in touch, went second after the seventh, loomed up passing usual 3 out, edged ahead around 2f out, headed passing last, kept on, pulled clear of remainder; a young horse, it's likely that there's better still to come this year.

FRODON (FR) easy to back near the off, shaped as if better for the run after 8 months off, while the fact that the home-straight fences were omitted on both circuits did him no good, and this should help blow the cobwebs away ahead of an apparent tilt at the Betfair Chase next month; led, untidy fifth, not fluent next, tackled passing usual 3 out, headed around 2f out, faded, closed down for third in the end.

FLYING ANGEL (IRE) who again attracted support reappearing in this contest (despite being 8 lb out of the handicap this time), hardly went with a huge amount of encouragement, acknowledging the stiff task; soon steadied, took closer order passing usual seventh, not fluent back straight, struggling well before home turn, merely plugged on.

BIGMARTRE (FR) 1 lb out of the weights, ran badly after 6 months off, the writing on the wall after a mistake in the back straight; chased leader, hit seventh, lost place soon after, labouring leaving back straight, left behind passing usual 3 out.