PUNCHESTOWN 16:20

Non Runners: MULLAGHANOE RIVER (IRE). Fences: 15.

Time: 5m 28.4s

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 100.8%

This turned out to be far less competitive than promised, the majority of the field underperforming for one reason or another, and very few even got into it, the first 2 dominating more or less from start to finish.

OPERATING (IRE) is finally putting it all together, an overdue chasing win at Cork putting a missing edge on him, also tongue tied for the very first time, and whatever the catalyst he looks a different horse now; had the run of the race more than most, kept closest to the leader, not to undermine his own performance, jumped/travelled well, moved upsides 4 out, got on top approaching last, driven out as second rallied.

ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) has improved his jumping and in turn his form, now becoming the smart chaser he promised to be in his earlier days, though even now he's still a relative youngster; big effort carrying top weight in his first handicap, even allowing he had a good 7-lb claimer and the run of the race, unpressured in the lead for a long way, Operating the only one getting to him, and he went down fighting.

THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) soon back over fences and, in cheekpieces, jumped better than he generally has, though still below the form he showed starting out as a chaser, his handicap mark meaning he can get competitive nonetheless; held up, stayed on gradually, too late to have a chance with the prominently-ridden first 2.

FOLLOWMEUPTOCARLOW (IRE) underlined all his recent progress, doing all he could, as, after a run of seconds, the rider seemed at pains to hold onto him for as long as possible, which was all against him as the race went; dropped out, crept closer travelling well but still plenty to do 3 out, kept on if not exactly charging home, though a stronger gallop would have helped him.

SHAMIRAN (IRE) hasn't fully reproduced hurdles form in handful of chases, didn't do badly here considering he was 2 lb out of the handicap, though finishing position owed something to others underperforming, plus he raced closer to the pace than most, some advantage in that, but he was done with in competitive terms 3 out, no extra.

ERICHT (IRE) more downs than ups in his first season chasing, given a break since Cheltenham but never really in this despite avoiding any blunders this time; waited with, couldn't sustain an effort that got him into third briefly on home turn.

LEAVETHELIGHTON (IRE) had only the 1 chase behind him (won at Gowran in February) and his inexperience showed in this different environment, making no impression, with some novicey jumping compounding matters.

BALLINVARRIG (IRE) had come quite a long way in his first season chasing, and this seemed to be one race too many, even with a break in preparation; made more ground than many that were held up, though never in a challenging position, and faded in the straight, his error at the last a symptom of tiredness.

KYLECRUE (IRE) has found his chasing develeopment stalling in better handicaps the last twice; mid-field, got in contention final circuit, but gradually left behind after 4 out.

THE WAY WE WERE (IRE) had a job on from slightly out of the weights over a trip probably beyond his best, dropped out to conserve stamina but made no headway at all.

SIZING GOLD (IRE) seemingly fragile, had a light campaign over fences but still apparently had enough for the season based on this, stopping to nothing after 3 out.

PLAYTIME BEN (IRE) faced a stiff task from out of the handicap; in rear, never involved.

BALNASLOW (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day, excusable in the sense he's been on the go since last July; patiently ridden, but struggling some way out, pulled up before 2 out.

SOME TIKKET (IRE) came here on the up, but a blunder at the tenth seemingly did for him, never really recovering.