PUNCHESTOWN 16:30

All 6 ran. Fences: 20.

Time: 6m 50.7s Closing Sectional: (3.5f): 45.9s (125.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A smart if uncompetitive renewal of this Grade 3 chase in which the first 2 in the betting dominated throughout, Sadler’s Risk consenting to put his best foot forward and comfortably seeing off the Galway Plate hero Lord Scoundrel, the pair well clear.

SADLER'S RISK (IRE) back over fences, recorded his first win at graded level in comfortable fashion, albeit having been well placed in a race in which very few got involved; chased leader, travelled well, led on bridle 3 out, shaken up between last 2, kept going well.

LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE) continues in good heart and was well on top of the remainder, just unlucky to bump into the winner on a going day conceding that rival 6 lb; made running, travelled fluently, headed 3 out, ridden entering straight, one paced from last, pulled clear of remainder.

FEDERICI turned out again quickly, returned to form, though never threatened to get involved; dropped out, not always fluent, some headway from 3 out, merely passed beaten horses.

DROMNEA (IRE) should be sharper for the run after 6 months off; raced off the pace, brief headway after 5 out, pushed along from 3 out, never landed a blow.

CLARCAM (FR) ran no sort of race; raced off the pace, pushed along approaching 3 out, never dangerous.

SMASHING (FR) back under less testing conditions, can be excused this run on first outing since leaving Henry De Bromhead after 6 months off, certainly not the first runner from his new yard to shape as if in need of the run in recent weeks, any views regarding the longer trip best left to another day; mid-field, not always fluent, crept closer briefly circuit out, shaken up from 3 out, soon beaten.