GOWRAN PARK 14:50 5v1s4t

Non Runners: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (IRE). Fences: 17.

Time: 7m 18.9s Closing Sectional: (2.25f): 39.3s (100.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 133%, Betfair SP 109%

One of Ireland's major handicap chases, A'int That A Shame belatedly fulfilling the promise shown in similarly high-profile events last season at the chief expense of a lightly-raced improver and last year's Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase winner; a sound pace together with the very testing conditions made it a real slog, hence such a slow time.

AIN'T THAT A SHAME (IRE) bounced back to best to land one of the biggest handicap chases in Ireland after 9 weeks off; in touch, travelled well, took closer order 5 out, close up 3 out, went on approaching next, headed briefly run-in, rallied well, asserted close home; he didn't get home in the Grand National last season and current odds of around 33/1 for this year's race are a reflection of the stamina doubts that still exist even after this.

GLENGOULY (FR) a lightly-raced sort, took his form up another notch on what was just his second go in a handicap and at around 3m; made running, jumped well in main, went with enthusiasm, headed 4 out, ridden from next, rallied approaching last, led again briefly run-in, kept on.

ANGELS DAWN (IRE) back over fences, got back on the up, going through the race as if still on a good mark, faring comfortably best of those that raced off the pace; waited with, typically travelled well, good progress approaching straight, fourth 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on; she's sure to remain of interest in top-end staying handicaps.

STORMY JUDGE (IRE) ran creditably over fences and would have finished closer still but for a couple of errors, the manner in which he stuck to his task suggesting he's worth another try at a marathon trip; mid-field, lost place when slow 5 out, took closer order approaching straight, ridden 3 out, keeping on when bad mistake last.

MACS CHARM (IRE) bounced back to form despite being forced to make his effort from further back than his rider originally intended; chased leaders, lost place when mistake fifth, took closer order 4 out, ridden next, plugged on.

DIOL KER (FR) continues to operate below his best; dropped out, jumped ponderously, struggling 5 out, merely plugged on as others wilted.

SHANTREUSSE (IRE) back up in trip, was significantly shorter in the betting than his winning stablemate but was facing his stiffest challenge to date and unable to rise to it; in touch, fourth when not fluent 4 out, weakened.

ANY SECOND NOW (IRE) ran no better than on his recent run, his campaign presumably being geared around another crack at the Grand National, though whether at the age of 12 he's capable of adding to previous placed efforts in the race is very much open to doubt; raced off the pace, struggling before 5 out, never dangerous.

FRONTAL ASSAULT (IRE) turned in a rare poor effort; raced off the pace, took closer order circuit out, in touch 4 out, ridden before next, weakened.

ESPANITO BELLO (FR) back over fences, would have run below form in first-time visor if completing; mid-field, headway from 5 out, chased leaders home turn, weakened from 3 out, very tired when unseated rider last.

ROYAL THIEF (IRE) continues out of sorts; close up, mid-race errors, lost place from 5 out, pulled up before last.

STREET VALUE (IRE) back up in trip, merely underlined inconsistency; mid-field, lost place approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out.

DUNBOYNE (IRE) has a decent record in valuable staying handicaps (runner-up in this event last season) and shaped much better than being pulled up suggests after 9 weeks off, still second and within a length of the leader/winner at the second last; mid-field, travelled better than usual, took closer order tenth, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, faltered between last 2 and had slowed to a virtual walk when pulled up last.

FAKIR D'ALENE (FR) failed to pose any sort of threat, this performance a world apart from his Troytown third in November; held up, ridden from 4 out, beaten next, pulled up before last.

ONTHEROPES (IRE) fared no better than on return; in touch, lost place from 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out.

GEVREY (FR) ran poorly again after 9 weeks off and has a bit to prove all of a sudden; mid-division, took closer order 5 out, ridden from next, weakened, pulled up before last.

LONGHOUSE POET (IRE) won this in 2022 but ran no sort of race on this occasion; mid-division, never travelling well, lost place sixth, clouted seventh, struggling early final circuit, pulled up before eleventh.

BRONN (IRE) continues to disappoint outside of novice company, the fitting of cheekpieces failing to spark a revival; mid-division, not fluent tenth, headway 5 out, close up when blundered next, ridden before 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last.