EXETER 15:00 4m573y

All 11 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: -153 yds

Time: 6m 9.6s Closing Sectional: (2.15f): 34.3s (98.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 94.4%

Only 3 had had a run since the spring but the race proved competitive, with the field still well grouped off a fair pace going to 4 out and 3 in line after the last.

ANY NEWS (IRE) showed improved form, tackling a much more competitive event than most he'd contested in the summer, his race fitness perhaps an advantage though; tracked pace, travelled well, led 3 out, driven last, ran on.

MANOTHEPEOPLE (IRE) ran well after 6 months off, still relatively unexposed over fences and likely to go well again; held up, travelled well, mistake fifth, headway before 4 out, shaken up 3 out, every chance last, kept on.

LOUNGE LIZARD ran creditably after 5 months off, though he didn't exactly help his rider after being finessed into contention, more patiently ridden than usual; waited with, took keen hold, smooth headway 3 out, ridden and hung left after 2 out, every chance last, no extra close home.

IBERIO (GER) after 7 months off, ran as well as he has over hurdles on chasing debut, though not looking straightforward in the process; held up, hung left, blundered eleventh, stayed on after 3 out.

SNIPE (IRE) failed to meet expectations on his second start over fences, with the benefit of a recent run over most of his rivals but unable to pick up the principals in the straight; dropped out, travelled well, headway back straight, ridden 4 out, one paced after 2 out.

COPPERHEAD failed to build on the promise of last run, this a more competitive contest than that one; led second, jumped right, mistake fourteenth, headed 3 out, faded.

SAM BARTON shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off; led when mistake first, settled mid-field after, headway when not fluent tenth, ridden straight, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out.

I SEE YOU WELL (FR) was well held after 5 months off, turning in a lacklustre display; held up, slow eighth, pushed along after tenth, tailed off straight.

PONTRESINA (IRE) back over fences, shaped as if needing the run after 5 months off; close up, shaken up straight, every chance when blundered 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up last.

NORTHERN POET (IRE) came into this on a 4-timer but showed nothing after 6 months off; mid-field, mistake third, labouring circuit out, pulled up twelfth.

BACK ON THE LASH needed the run after 6 months off, this likely a pipe-opener for a return to the cross-country track at Cheltenham next month; tracked pace early, pushed along sixth, lost place back straight, rallied briefly early in straight, weakened 3 out, pulled up last.