FAKENHAM 14:25

All 6 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +148 yds

Time: 6m 56.5s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 61.3s (110.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 101%

More interesting than most C&D handicaps and, while the muddling nature of the race led to the majority of the field still being in contention at the last, the first 3 home all made at least some appeal from a handicapping perspective beforehand.

HOLLY BUSH HENRY (IRE) capitalised on a lower chase mark and landed his fourth race of the campaign in battling fashion, knuckling down well from the last to see off the persistent runner-up to whom he was conceding 18 lb; in touch, jumped well in main, travelled well, took closer order 4 out, led between last 2, tackled run-in, found extra; a versatile sort in relation to code, ground conditions and trip, he is sure to have plenty of options going forward, though the likelihood is he'll need to improve if he is to defy higher marks over both hurdles and fences.

MORNEY WING (IRE) had dropped a long way in the weights (10 lb below last winning mark) and bounced back to form reunited with Paddy Brennan; close up, jumped fine, travelled better than usual, led briefly thirteenth, went on again 3 out, headed between last 2, stuck to task; he's never been one for maximum faith (unreliable sort), but he's clearly on a good mark if able to back this up next time.

HALO MOON stepped up on reappearance run after 10 weeks and clearly still has plenty to offer connections, briefly looking a threat to the principals before a late error put paid to any chances of bettering his final position; waited with, travelled well, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden before straight, keeping on and within 2 lengths of the leaders when bad mistake last.

MORE THAN LUCK (IRE) back over fences, wasn't helped by his jumping but probably just found this too competitive; held up, not always fluent (bad mistake tenth), never on terms.

THE BOSS'S DREAM (IRE) back up in trip, failed to build on chasing debut form; made running, headed when mistake thirteenth, led again under pressure before next, headed again approaching 3 out, soon beaten.

POPELYS GULL (IRE) back up in trip, was in the process of running well when departing late on; soon steadied, travelled better than most, headway after 3 out, ridden from next, keeping on when fell last, might have been placed.