PUNCHESTOWN 17:30

Non Runners: SIZING EUROPE (IRE). Fences: 11.

Time: 4m 6.6s Closing Sectional: (3.55f): 51.2s (106.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A below-par renewal of this Grade 1, none of the first 5 home from either the Queen Mother or the Ryanair in the field, and, with the majority of the market principals underperforming for one reason or another, it didn't take a great deal of winning; the likely pacemaker came down at the first and the overall pace was just fair.

FELIX YONGER (IRE) is on a roll at present, although didn't need to improve much, if at all, to gain an elusive first success at this level, the only one of the market principals to give his running on the day; mid-field, crept closer from 4 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead final 50 yds; a consistent sort, he's likely to find life tougher under a Grade 1 penalty next term.

BAILY GREEN (IRE) hails from a stable which has emerged from the doldrums in recent weeks and, back down in trip, he turned in his best effort for quite some time to almost pull off a major shock; typically jumped soundly, left in front first, tackled last, collared final 50 yds; had the run of the race and is far from certain to back this up.

HIDDEN CYCLONE (IRE) back down in trip after a lacklustre effort in the Ryanair, fared little better in first-time blinkers, and not for the first time it was his jumping that let him down; prominent, clouted first, close up when bad mistake 4 out, lost place before home turn, kept on again to snatch third close home.

MALLOWNEY (IRE) failed to meet expectations for the second successive start, and once again his finishing effort left plenty to be desired; patiently ridden, loomed up entering straight, found nothing and run out of third late on; hard to catch right.

CHAMPAGNE FEVER (IRE) back down in trip, followed a below-par effort at Aintree with an even worse one, this the third year in a row that he has underperformed at this meeting; chased leaders, went prominent leaving back straight, ridden 3 out, no extra; seems best when able to dominate but clearly has something to prove now.

TWINLIGHT (FR) ran no sort of race, gradually dropping back through the field after an early mistake, this possibly one start too many in what has been a fairly busy campaign; close up, blundered third, clouted sixth, lost touch 3 out, not persevered with once held; his very best form is on soft/heavy ground.

FLEMENSTAR (IRE) back down in trip, went backwards from reappearance, to such an extent that one would have to wonder if connections will persevere with him; held up, tailed off 3 out, never involved.

OSCAR HILL (IRE) had plenty to find in this company but his race was over almost as soon as it began; fell first.

SAVELLO (IRE) bad mistake first, saddle slipped, rider lost irons, pulled up before next.