NEWCASTLE 16:10 2h5o3u

All 13 ran.

Time: 1m 26.76s Closing Sectional: (2f): 22.65s (108.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 102.2%

A valuable and decidedly useful handicap, but those seen to good effect were in the minority courtesy of the pedestrian gallop, more a case of picking out individual promise than viewing this as solid overall form; the frame was filled by in-form sorts and/or those down to handy marks, Suzi's Connoisseur snapping a long losing run, whilst further back plenty were better than the placings suggests, notably Angelic Lord and Steel Train.

SUZI'S CONNOISSEUR after 5 weeks off, is as low in the weights as he's been since 2-y-o days and ran up to his best to take advantage, doing some repair work to his strike rate in the process, this his first success since 2014; sensibly kept closer to pace than has been the case (raced in mid-field), headway over 1f out, pushed along soon after, stayed on to lead final 50 yds, held on; deserves credit for getting to another well-treated sort who enjoyed the run of things, and has gone close off marks in the high 90 before, so not one to write off next time, especially if a stronger gallop looks on the cards.

HOLIDAY MAGIC (IRE) is a likeable sort, versatile regarding both surface and tactics, and continues to thrive, only narrowly failing to notch a fourth win this winter; dictated, pressed on around 2f out, ed inside final 1f, kept on well enough but just edged out final 50 yds; looks sure to continue running well, and will almost certainly be high on the shortlist wherever he turns up next.

HORSTED KEYNES (FR) back on a straight track/back down to 7f, looked an easier ride than last time and duly confirmed the promise of his reappearance at the second attempt, doing well to get as close as he did too; mid-field, raced freely, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well final 1f, just failed; on a handy mark but clearly been tricky to train, so remains to be seen how long he can hold it together.

RUSSIAN SOUL (IRE) off the same mark as when an unfortunate loser just over a week ago, seemed inconvenienced by the steady gallop; close up, took strong hold, every chance when shaken up around 1f out, not quicken, already booked for fourth when tightened up final 50 yds; better judged on Wolverhampton run than this unsatisfactory affair, and well worth another chance.

AL KHAN (IRE) looks too high in the weights, especially for a race of this depth, and ran as well as could be expected; mid-field, raced freely, pushed along around 2f out, carried head a bit awkwardly, kept on.

FREE CODE (IRE) 5 lb rise for narrow success when things fell nicely looks excessive, and he managed no better than mid-field despite performing creditably, helped by the run of things too; close up, pushed along when tempo lifted 3f out, faded.

REALIZE has been harshly treated by handicapper for winning minor event before the turn of the year, off a career-high mark, and ran as well as could be expected; prominent, raced freely, ridden 2f out, kept on, better placed than most.

SUPERSTA shaped as if back in reasonable heart after Dundalk blip, doing about as well as could be expected in a race not run to suit at all, a problem exacerbated by the drop back in trip; dwelt, waited with, raced freely, effort under 2f out, lugged left, kept on, never landed a blow.

ANGELIC LORD (IRE) after 9 weeks off, shaped much better than his finishing position suggests, and though this isn't really a race from which to be drawing firm conclusions, the suspicion is that at least most of the smart ability he showed at 3 yrs remains intact; in rear, ridden over 1f out, headway when short of room final 1f, not recover, not knocked about, finished with running left; not one to write off.

STEEL TRAIN (FR) after 5 weeks off, did enough to suggest he's over whatever ailed him last time, likely to have got close to his best granted a fair roll of the dice; held up, refused to settle, crept closer on bridle over 1f out, effort soon after, making headway when denied a run final 1f, not recover, barely came off bridle and finished with plenty left to give.

TATLISU (IRE) back up in trip, followed a lesser run with an even worse one, disappointing he was one of the first off the bridle given he races mainly at shorter nowadays; in rear, struggling 3f out, soon beaten.

TESTA ROSSA (IRE) better judged on previous form (which is solid), a pedestrian gallop at 7f no good to him, also arguably flying too high in this company as well (eligible for considerably weaker races), never a threat after a typically patient ride.

FAST AND FURIOUS (IRE) offered little after 15 months off; mid-division, took strong hold, weakened from 3f out; no longer worth a rating.