WARWICK 15:35

Non Runners: GLOBAL POWER (IRE), MART LANE (IRE). Fences: 22.

Time: 8m 2.3s Closing Sectional: (3.82f): 63.1s (100.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 99.1%

Three former winners contested Warwick's big race of the season, and there were plenty of others with form in similar events, though it lacked a bit of quality at the top of the handicap and only the disappointing favourite could really be called unexposed, so it represents solid rather than strong form, providing a good test under the conditions, even though a standing start counted against at least a couple of the runners, the start here and in the Welsh National a worrying sign with Cheltenham handicaps and the Grand National in mind.

HAWKES POINT in blinkers in place of cheekpieces, had been given a chance by the handicapper, off a mark 6 lb lower than last time, and proved at least as good as ever, matching his form in last season's Welsh National, the different headgear making him seemingly a different proposition in both how he travelled and how he finished; prominent, travelled well, mistake seventh, led under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on well run-in, ridden out; he cut little ice in the Grand National last season, but could be a different proposition this time round if the headgear works so well again.

THEATRICAL STAR ran well, showing a wealth of stamina on his first try at this sort of trip, likely to be effective at 4m+ on this evidence; in touch, went prominent fifteenth, challenged eighteenth, not quicken 3 out, kept on run-in.

SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) had been generously assessed, off a mark just 2 lb higher than when winning this in 2014, and ran up to best, though might have done even better without one significant mistake; prominent, travelled well, led ninth, going well when clouted 3 out, ridden after, headed approaching 2 out, kept on run-in; may not yet be fully exposed.

SIXTY SOMETHING (FR) had a bit to find, after being raised 3 lb for his fortunate success last time, and ran creditably, keeping mistakes to a minimum in this more competitive affair, which is encouraging for his prospects; in touch, went handy sixth, chased leader tenth, ridden seventeenth, mistake there, not quicken after, hit last.

CARRUTHERS had been generously treated by the handicapper, back in a conventional chase off a mark 14 lb lower than when second in last season's running, but had his chance scuppered by the starter, caught out by the standing start after a false start had been called, unable to adopt a prominent position as a result; dwelt, waited with, travelled well, headway fifteenth, shaken up next, left behind 4 out.

BALLYOLIVER had been given 8 weeks to recover from previous exertions this season but was again below form, even if shaping better than last time; held up, took keen hold, mistakes fourteenth, fifteenth, effort back straight, labouring 4 out.

PECKHAMECHO (IRE) upped markedly in trip, finished well held back over fences, lack of stamina proving more of a problem than his sometimes suspect jumping; dropped out, travelled well, smooth headway before sixteenth, yet to be asked for effort though bit to do when blundered eighteenth, weakened.

CADEAU GEORGE after just 9 days off over 3f longer trip, fared no better in another competitive handicap; led until second, mistake eighth, lost place soon after, no chance when blundered and unseated rider seventeenth.

TALES OF MILAN (IRE) failed to complete, a change of tactics soon abandoned to no positive effect; held up, headway after fifth, ridden fifteenth, weakened soon after, pulled up 3 out.

DARK GLACIER (IRE) pulled up for the third start running, this effort not nearly so encouraging as that in the Welsh National last time, perhaps coming too soon; led after second, headed ninth, pushed along after twelfth, weakened quickly fifteenth, pulled up next.

BENBANE HEAD (USA) was the chief sufferer as a result of the false start, slow to get going from the standing start that followed and losing interest as a result of not being able to get up with the pace, to a large extent best judged on form last time, even if his jumping had gone back a lot since then; lost all chance at the start, jumped poorly in rear, never travelling well, behind when pulled up seventeenth.

WEST END ROCKER (IRE) needed to be better than ever to win a competitive race off this mark and just wasn't near up to the task; in touch, ridden tenth, blundered next, lost place after halfway, pulled up 4 out.

RETURN SPRING (IRE) well backed, was less exposed than the rest and seemed sure to benefit from the longer trip, but his jumping just wasn't up to the task; dropped out, jumped none too fluently, pushed along sixth, never in the hunt, behind when pulled up sixteenth; remains with potential should his technique improve.

RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) still 12 lb above the mark off which he won the Haydock National Trial last winter, shaped as if needing the run after 9 months off, spared a hard race and likely to be more competitive back in that race next time; in touch until before sixteenth, eased and pulled up.