The Real Whacker back on top with Charlie Hall romp but punters aren't rushing to embrace him just yet

Saturday's jumps action was like a throwback 20 months to the Brown Advisory of 2023, with The Real Whacker running above expectations to win from the front while Gerri Colombe was a beaten favourite. 

The two horses were on opposite sides of the Irish Sea this time, of course. The Real Whacker ran away with the Charlie Hall, while his familiar rival threw in a really disappointing effort in Down Royal's Champion Chase that raises questions about how much of a factor he can be in this season's big races.

The Real Whacker has been there, of course, having been winless in five starts last season, his fans slowly ebbing in number as he failed to build on those three consecutive Cheltenham triumphs from 2022-23. He was pulled up in the Gold Cup and rounded off his spring with a really discouraging fifth in the Oaksey Chase.