NEWCASTLE 16:10 2h5o3u

All 12 ran.

Time: 1m 40.7s

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 99.7%

A one-sided handicap, the lightly-raced favourite far too good for his rivals and looking destined for better things, though the race was an ordinary one for the grade if you take him out of the equation, especially as a couple of the likelier types failed to meet expectations.

ELNAJMM who had been gelded since last seen 11 months earlier, looked on an attractive opening mark, his close second at Newmarket last year particularly strong form (English Oak, now Timeform-rated 118p, was a place behind him that day) and he duly proved a class apart from his rivals; in touch, tanked along, quickened to lead around 2f out, in command soon after and needed just one tap with the whip to maintain his advantage, impressive; he holds an entry in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood in August, and acknowledging the usual concerns regarding draw bias in that race, this catapults him towards the top of the shortlist, especially as there is surely more progression in the offing after just 5 runs.

CATCH THE PADDY (IRE) returned to form from out of the blue, showing none of the quirks that have marred recent efforts and unlucky to bump into one; dwelt, mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, no match for winner.

AUSTRIAN THEORY (IRE) showed the benefit of a recent run, belying his odds with an effort not far below the best of his displays for a different yard last year; held up, headway under pressure around 2f out, kept on; he's 4 lb below last winning mark so well treated if able to use this as a springboard for a full revival.

FARASI LANE (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, perhaps paying the price late on for trying to make a race of it with the winner; mid-field, went prominent under 3f out, effort around 2f out, left behind by winner soon after, no extra and lost a couple of places final 1f.

LATTAM (IRE) back on all-weather for the first time since winning corresponding event off a 3 lb lower mark last year (when with a different yard), wasn't disgraced after 10 weeks off; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, not quicken.

BRUNCH looked to tick plenty of the right boxes, coming here on the back of a promising return and boasting a good track record, but proved to be a disappointment; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, laboured headway soon after, effort flattened out.

HELM ROCK failed to come on for recent run, though in mitigation he didn't get much cover from the headwind; prominent, upsides 3f out, went on soon after, headed around 2f out, weakened.

NAVAGIO (IRE) back in a tongue strap/back on all-weather, ran poorly and has gone the wrong way from an encouraging reappearance/stable debut; in rear, never a threat.

CHICHESTER back in a tongue strap, faced a stiff task giving lumps of weights away all round, but probably needed the run on first outing for 10 months/since leaving Charlie Johnston in any case; in rear, not unduly punished, never on .

BEAR FORCE ONE without usual cheekpieces, probably needed the run on first outing since leaving Roger Teal after 10 months off; prominent, upsides 3f out, carried head bit high, weakened.

GUNLOCK (USA) back on all-weather but again ran poorly; prominent, weakened from 2f out.

ALL THE KING'S MEN (FR) back in headgear/back on all-weather, was well held; led, ridden over 3f out, headed soon after, dropped away.