PUNCHESTOWN 17:25 534x61

All 9 ran. Fences: 11.

Time: 4m 9.6s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 52.5s (99.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 101.1%

A race very much in the shadow of last weekend's Celebration Chase at Sandown, with victory going to one who usually plies his trade over further nowadays, the level of form shown a notch below what is usually expected from an elite 2m chaser; the pace was sound.

BANBRIDGE (IRE) is clearly more ground dependent than most (non-runner at Aintree due to rain-softened conditions), but he's a top-class chaser away from the mud and ed a second Grade 1 success despite shaping as if the return to 2m didn't suit (fitted with cheekpieces due to the shorter trip) - indeed, he'll benefit from a return to 2½m+ next winter, with connections reportedly keen on a tilt at the King George VI Chase granted suitable underfoot conditions; patiently ridden, still plenty to do back straight, shaken up home turn, switched approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in to lead dying strides.

CAPTAIN GUINNESS (IRE) ran right up to his best despite failing to get the job done after trading very short in-running; mid-division, travelled/jumped fluently, took closer order 3 out, took over early in straight, kicked on between last 2, saw off Dinoblue on run-in only to be collared by the winner's strong late surge during the dying strides.

DINOBLUE (FR) ran creditably back down in trip but, equally, had no excuses this time; waited with, smooth headway from 4 out, challenged between last 2, no extra only late on.

MASKADA (FR) isn't up to this level and made little impact tried in a tongue strap, merely ing beaten rivals late on under a patient ride.

DYSART DYNAMO (IRE) was well held with front-running tactics back in use after 4 months off, his headstrong nature simply leaving him a sitting duck at this level; forced pace, ed 3 out, weakened from early in straight.

SAINT SAM (FR) has been lit up for whatever reason on his last 2 starts, proving too free again here despite the drop back in trip; chased leader, not settle fully, dropped away from 3 out.

ASH TREE MEADOW (FR) faced a stiff task on this first venture into Grade 1 company but was below form all the same; handy, brushed aside from home turn, already held when blundered 2 out.

GENTLEMAN DE MEE (FR) was let down by a rare jumping lapse, unseating at the second when in mid-division.

FIL DOR (FR) has proved a major let-down on all 3 starts since changing hands for €620,000, looking all at sea under these less testing conditions back at the minimum trip; soon detached, outpaced from some way out, first beaten.