DOWN ROYAL 14:35

All 7 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 5m 58.3s Closing Sectional: (3.3f): 46.7s (105.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.1%

A really interesting renewal of the first Grade 1 of the season in Ireland, not least as it featured a pair of high-profile Gigginstown Stud horses having their first starts since leaving Willie Mullins, and their performances could hardly have been much different, Valseur Lido running out an impressive winner as Don Poli toiled; Silviniaco Conti took them along at a fair pace.

VALSEUR LIDO (FR) after 7 months off, didn't need to improve on the pick of last season's form to get off to a winning start for his new yard, but there was plenty to like about his performance all the same, not least the way he brushed aside Silviniaco Conti; patiently ridden, jumped well, steady headway from eleventh, led on bridle before 2 out, cruised clear; will warrant plenty of respect wherever he turns up next, still relatively unexposed at 3m after all.

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) may not be quite the force of old, but showed he is no back number after 7 months off, worth pointing out that he has now been beaten on reappearance in 5 of the last 6 seasons; made running, jumped well in main, headed before 2 out, kept on, no match for winner; another tilt at the Betfair Chase is presumably next on his agenda.

LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE) ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade, ridden to pick up the pieces; dropped out, headway before 5 out, went third 3 out, kept on.

SADLER'S RISK (IRE) ran respectably, albeit unable to confirm previous form with Lord Scoundrel; chased leaders, hampered 5 out, ridden when clouted 3 out, no extra.

THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) runner-up in the Grand National when last seen 7 months earlier, shaped as if better for the run, the emphasis on speed all against him too; chased leader, driven before 5 out, no extra from 3 out.

MONKSLAND (IRE) jumping proved his Achilles' heel once again, crashing out just as the race was about to unfold; held up, going well when fell 5 out, too far out to suggest outcome.

DON POLI (IRE) out of the first 3 just once in 14 starts for W. P. Mullins, went with no encouragement retried in cheekpieces after 6 months off, the ground no excuse; mid-division, jumped ponderously, never travelling well, went handy over circuit out, dropped away before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out; is reportedly being aimed at the Grand National but it is a case of back to the drawing board after this.