AYR 15:15 60324s

Non Runners: WALK ON QUEST (IRE). Fences: 18.

Time: 5m 11.8s Closing Sectional: (2.3f): 36.3s (96.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 102.5%

Most of these have already done their improving, even if not over the top by now, and one who'd had a winter break ended up making short work of them once he'd swept past the long-time leader soon after 2 out, the pair filling the placings back from time off of their own.

RISKINTHEGROUND (IRE) had been building up to something like this since returning from his mid-season rest, signalled most strongly at Newbury the time before, generously dropped a further 1 lb for that but winning with such authority that it wasn't required; patiently ridden, smooth headway from halfway, produced to lead between last 2, soon clear; he's won 5 times in the last 11 months now but not once on going more testing than good to soft.

WILL CARVER (IRE) returned to form from an easing mark after another 5 months off but can't really be trusted to run so well next time; settled in touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied well from 2 out, took second at the last.

VINTAGE FIZZ enhanced his fine record when fresh 5 months on from finishing a place and a few lengths closer over the National fences in the Grand Sefton, the last of the principals to make his move; dropped out, not always fluent, still plenty to do after 5 out, crept closer from home turn, took third run-in, ran on; his tendency to jump left suggests he'll always be that bit better this way around for all he went close at Market Rasen last summer.

NED TANNER (IRE) was found out in better company following a rise to a career-high mark, having done nearly all his best work in smaller fields in the mud; tracked pace, ridden before 3 out, one paced.

CREBILLY (IRE) failed to capitalise on the drop in grade as well as distance, a fitting end to a season geared seemingly around Cheltenham that hasn't had much to show for it; waited with, shaken up after 5 out, held when awkward 3 out, kept on again only late on.

LEADER IN THE PARK (IRE) isn't a strong finisher at the minute but it's easier to excuse such at this stage of a campaign that began back in the autumn; led until fourth, remained prominent, led again 4 out, headed soon after 2 out, faltered approaching last.

SURE TOUCH shaped similarly to last time and may be ready for some headgear now in an attempt to fully rekindle his spark; waited with, went in snatches, pushed along before end of back straight, held before 3 out.

DENSWORTH (IRE) again ran poorly; tracked pace, lost ground 5 out, no threat straight; he's unpredictable.

PERSIAN TIME met a distressing end tried in cheekpieces after 8 weeks off; chased leader, jumped on fourth, headed 4 out, faltered quickly, beaten when fell 3 out (reportedly had heart attack).

PRAIRIE WOLF (IRE) seems to have lost his way again since finding it briefly at Haydock (when ground more in favour) in the winter, a 7-week break doing nothing to revive him; raced off the pace, jumped sketchily, never going pace, tailed off when pulled up 5 out.

GELINO BELLO (FR) is presumably beset by physical issues these days, shaping that way here as he pulled up for the third time in a row since his return; soon detached, jumped right, never going well, pulled up before halfway.