A competitive renewal of this valuable event, but some of the gloss was inevitably taken from it with the early departure of favourite and Gold Cup possible Joaaci, brought down by the heavy fall of Dead-Eyed Dick at the second ditch.

Joaaci's stablemate Control Man ensured a searching pace and while his jumping, never his strong point, again left a fair bit to be desired he saw off a series of challenges before EUROTREK closed ominously on him four out, and Ruby Walsh always had matters in hand on the latter from the home turn, sending the Nicholls horse clear from the second last for an emphatic win.

Eurotrek, a lightly-raced 10-year-old who was having only his fourth run over fences when scoring easily at Newbury last month, had been raised 13lb for that win, but this latest performance confirmed that he is still very much on the upgrade. If he can be kept sound - he has had problems with his legs, heart and blood vessels in the past - then he should be a major player in long-distances chases, such as the National, over the next couple of seasons. But connections reckon the horse wants plenty of give in the ground to be seen to best effect, so that will affect which spring races he can target.

Sir Rembrandt, placed in the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups but desperately needing to get his career back on track here after failing to complete on his last four starts, was less than fluent. But Andrew Thornton kept nudging along on the horse, knowing that stamina is his mount's long suit and that he generally finishes well, and he was not disappointed as his mount plugged on in the straight to claim a fair second. A sound effort, but the Alner horse has not won a race for over two years and he can expect little immediate relief from the handicapper after this run.

Crystal d'Ainay, never close enough to be a factor in the Welsh National last time, raced with more enthusiasm in a visor this time - the headgear also worked for him over hurdles in the past - but had run his race by three out.

Glen Warrior, who had taken a heavy fall at Wetherby just ten days ago, jumped soundly here but, on ground probably softer than he ideally wants, was never able to get in an effective blow, a remark which also applies to Artic Jack, who would possibly have found this track on the sharp side.

Double Honour, a remote third in this race a year ago, was beaten a long way from home on this occasion, while Irish National winner from two years back, Granit d'Estruval, gave up the ghost early and perhaps this run came a bit too soon after his sixth in the Welsh National at the end of last month, a race that had come after he had a training setback.

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