LEICESTER 15:20

All 9 ran.

Time: 1m 26.92s Closing Sectional: (3f): 38.7s (96.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 100.1%

Smart form by the back-on-song winner in this handicap, but his 'going days' are hard to predict and plenty of the others in the line up look just averagely weighted, so this will probably prove weaker than most class 2 events, the runner-up the only one who makes short-term appeal, seemingly on the cusp of his very best form.

DINKUM DIAMOND (IRE) late in the day to be trying a new trip (campaigned at 5f/6f previously), but took well to it, nothing able to get him out of his comfort zone, that enabling him to run right up to his best and gain first success since 2014 reappearance; slowly away, held up, raced freely, cut through field easily between 2f out and 1f out, led final 100 yds, saw things out well; on the downside, he's never been the easiest to catch right, and will be back up in the weights after this, suggesting he'll be opposable next time.

HILLBILLY BOY (IRE) has turned over a new leaf with regards consistency since joining current yard, knocking on the door, only seen off by a talented rival on a going day here and well on top of the rest; handy, travelled well back up in trip, upsides over 2f out, led soon after, headed final 100 yds, stuck to task; it seems just a matter of time before he rediscovers his very best form, so he'll remain of interest.

CORDITE (IRE) after 5 weeks off, turned in one of the better efforts of a largely underwhelming campaign; settled better than usual under attacking ride, headed under 2f out, looked set to drop right away before sticking to his task final 1f; didn't do enough to suggest this will be a springboard for a fuller revival though, just as likely this will be a false dawn given his quirks.

BALLYMORE CASTLE (IRE) has been given a chance by the handicapper - also had good-value claimer up - but that only makes his response to pressure all the more disappointing, faring no better than last couple of starts despite travelling as well as anything for a long way; prominent, loomed up over 2f out, upsides soon after, found little over 1f out; without a win since early in his 2-y-o campaign and it could just be that he's not entirely straightforward.

LEXINGTON TIMES (IRE) faced a stiff task back in handicap company, hard to see what he's done to deserve this sort of mark, and actually wasn't disgraced; mid-division, effort around 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on.

RUSSIAN REALM after 8 weeks off, was again below form, and though as good as ever when on song this year, he's proved hard to catch right, something that may well be temperament related; mid-field, driven 2f out, weakened.

PASTORAL PLAYER is a tricky customer and this was one of his lesser efforts, never a threat despite getting a race run to suit; he's still too high in the weights even when on song, too.

BIRDMAN (IRE) turned in his second laboured effort in a row, the drop back in trip just a side issue (completed hat-trick at 7f early in season), and it could just be that he's had enough for the year, understandably so given how busy/productive it's been, never better than mid-field and struggling soon after halfway.

ACCESSION (IRE) not for the first time followed a good run with a poor one; close up, pushed along under 3f out, found little; not badly weighted on best efforts, down to same mark as when third at Newmarket in July (strong form), but isn't one to trust implicitly.