CORK 15:13 5r3a1b

All 17 ran. Fences: 19.

Time: 7m 48.6s Closing Sectional: (2.7f): 43.4s (104.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 132%, Betfair SP 102.2%

A very competitive-looking renewal though extreme conditions meant that almost half of the field didn't complete, a pair of relatively unexposed chasers from the Mullins yard split by one who bounced back to something like his best, the fourth shaping well from the rear.

CAPTAIN KANGAROO (IRE) produced a career best on first start in handicap chases (was 2 lb out of the weights) under the assistance of a good-value claimer, relishing the longer trip and keeping mistakes to a minimum; mid-field, travelled well, close up circuit out, led when untidy 4 out, went on early in straight, in control when steadied into last, closed down only final 100 yds.

DEFI BLEU (FR) stepped up on reappearance run, seeing the longer trip out thoroughly which opens up new options; prominent, hit seventh, ridden home turn, stayed on.

RECITE A PRAYER (IRE) is fairly reliable and ran well upped in trip; mid-field, smooth headway approaching 4 out, driven next, kept on.

MISTER FOGPATCHES (IRE) is a really likeable type and posted yet another creditable effort in a top-end handicap after 7 months off, shaping well in fact after coming from further back than those who beat him; patiently ridden, awkward first, headway under pressure home turn, kept on, nearest at the finish; one to look out for, with the Welsh National looking an ideal next port of call.

WAITNSEE (IRE) backed at long odds, ran one of better races returned to chasing/a longer trip; raced wide, in touch, went in snatches, jumped left fourth, ridden when awkward 4 out, one paced.

DROMORE LAD (IRE) had won this 2 years earlier from a slightly higher mark (2 lb out of the handicap on this occasion) and was fit from a recent spin over hurdles, but ran below form; raced wide, mid-division, pecked on landing eleventh, driven 5 out, no impression.

INFLUENTIAL LADY (IRE) found this too competitive (8 lb out of the handicap) with the tongue strap reapplied, all her best form having been under less testing conditions, too; awkward third, untidy 3 out and 2 out, always behind.

GLORIOUS GALWAY (IRE) wasn't up to this better company after 10 months off (well out of the handicap); made running, headed when hit 4 out, behind when mistake again 2 out.

DIOL KER (FR) ran poorly after 7 months off; mid-field, struggling when awkward 4 out.

FULLY CHARGED failed to complete after 5 months off; close up, fell heavily 5 out, too far out to suggest outcome.

GLENLOE (IRE) is a long-standing maiden over fences but is best excused this run after 5 months off; waited with, mistake second, took closer order eighth, blundered thirteenth, saddle slipped/pulled up soon after.

SPADES ARE TRUMPS (IRE) wasn't on a going day after 3 months off; raced off the pace, slow sixth and again 5 out, driven home turn, pulled up before 2 out.

SIBERIAN PRINCE (IRE) attracted having just his second handicap start, though seemed unsuited by conditions, his effectiveness over this far clearly best not judged on this; handy, ridden 4 out, beaten when mistake next, pulled up soon after.

DEFINITE PLAN (IRE) ran no sort of race once more after 8 months off; raced wide, mid-division, behind when hampered 5 out, pulled up before next.

SMOKING GUN (IRE) after 7 months off; raced well off the pace, slow twelfth, struggling badly next, pulled up back straight, took little interest.

BRAESIDE (IRE) had won this race on his reappearance last season but showed nothing returned to handicap company after 8 months off; mid-division, untidy fourth, slow 5 out, behind when awkward next, pulled up home turn.

SCREAMING COLOURS (IRE) was very easy to back and turned in a rare poor effort after 6 months off, much more to it than the interference he suffered; mid-division, hit fourteenth, lost place when hampered next, weakened entering straight, hit 2 out, pulled up before last.