NEWCASTLE 15:55 1g2rl

Non Runners: STORMY GIRL (IRE).

Time: 1m 10.79s Closing Sectional: (2f): 23.5s (100.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 121%, Betfair SP 104.9%

The Pavilion’s move north gave it a very different feel to normal, southern-trained horses in the minority and nothing of the calibre of Calyx or Blue Point in the line-up, but it did feature the first 3 home from last season’s Norfolk Stakes, Dubai Station reversing form with both A’Ali and Ventura Rebel, though he was fortunate to beat favourite Malotru, who was nearly good enough to overcome a nightmare age, the front pair both coming from off the pace in a strongly-run contest.

DUBAI STATION backed at long odds, had one or 2 excuses towards the end of his 2-y-o campaign and got right back on track making all-weather debut, fortunate on the day but still credited with plenty of improvement; mid-field, travelled well, good headway over 2f out, quickened to lead inside final 1f, driven out.

MALOTRU easy to back down in trip after 3 months off, was desperately unlucky not to maintain his unbeaten record on all-weather; mid-field, shuffled back to near rear over 2f out, completely denied a run over 1f out, finally got gap well inside final 1f, closed all the way to the line; he's the best prospect in the field and can make amends later in the season (remains open to improvement) at either 6f or 7f, though he probably needs a decent test to perform to his best over this trip.

DREAM SHOT (IRE) back up in trip, matched the pick of his 2-y-o form and shaped encouragingly after 7 months off; close up, travelled well, challenged 2f out, not quicken inside final 1f, did best of those ridden close up; he had plenty of racing last term but should be capable of a bit better based on this effort.

FLEETING PRINCE (IRE) seemed to excel himself after 5 months off; reared leaving stalls, raced off the pace, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra last ½f, probably helped by being held up in a strongly-run race.

VENTURA LIGHTNING (FR) making all-weather debut, shaped as if retaining all ability after 8 months off, improvement needed if he's to make any more of an impact at this level; prominent, challenged 2f out, one paced.

VENTURA REBEL easy to back, looked rusty after 11 months off as the winner reversed Royal Ascot form with him, the step up in trip (on all-weather debut) not unlocking any improvement this time; slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced over 2f out, had to pick way through over 1f out, stayed on gradually.

KEEP BUSY (IRE) probably needed the run after 7 months off but has plenty to find in this sort of grade and may not be any better at all as a 3-y-o (neat filly); close up, every chance under 2f out, faded entering final 1f.

A'ALI (IRE) failed to meet expectations on all-weather debut after 7 months off (well backed), unlikely to have finished much closer even with a clearer run; mid-field, bit caught on heels and forced to switch over 2f out, faded over 1f out; he should stay this far but, a neat type who achieved plenty at 2, he may not kick on this season.

SHOW ME SHOW ME shaped as if better for the run after 9 months off (gelded since last seen), though whether he really belongs at this level is open to question (probably flattered to finish third in Molecomb); raced off the pace, brief headway over 2f out, effort flattened out.

ABERAMA GOLD whose listed win is very much a standout on his record, shaped as if retaining ability on all-weather debut after 7 months off; disputed lead, pushed along over 2f out, dropped away over 1f out, did too much too soon.

GRAVITY FORCE back on all-weather, needs to find plenty of improvement to make a significant mark at this level but did do too much too soon after 7 months off; disputed lead, effort over 2f out, dropped away over 1f out.

TROUBADOR (IRE) who had plenty of racing at 2, turned in a rare poor effort on all-weather debut after 8 months off, the fact he helped shape the race not enough of an excuse given how far he was beaten; disputed lead, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out.

GLASVEGAS (IRE) gelded since last seen, went without the headgear on all-weather debut and ran poorly after 8 months off; mid-field, weakened from 3f out; the headgear will probably be back on next time but he's essentially been disappointing since his Windsor Castle third.