LINGFIELD PARK 15:05

Non Runners: GREY MIRAGE.

Time: 1m 22.91s Closing Sectional: (2f): 23.5s (100.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 101.8%

Well-treated sorts were in thin supply, but this is handicap form that should at least prove solid, the gallop sound, whilst one who is thriving just held off the late thrust of last year's winner.

REALIZE probably didn't need to improve much, if at all, to regain winning thread returned to handicaps, having bumped into one better than this level in a conditions event last time; mid-field, shaken up home turn, stayed on well to lead final 100 yds; clearly right at the top of his game and likely to remain of interest.

SHYRON underlined that he's handicapped to win, 1 lb lower in weights than when taking corresponding event last year, but also showed why he was tried in headgear last time, the poor position in which he found himself partly of his own doing; dwelt, in rear, went in snatches, had to weave through straight, finished with a flourish; worth another try in cheekpieces, and is the type to pop up at some point in the coming weeks when things drop right.

ARNOLD LANE (IRE) continues in good form, this a step up on recent efforts if anything, and it underlines his effectiveness under posititve tactics, going from the front this time, kicking clear over 2f out and only reeled back inside final 1f by a couple of well-treated rivals; should continue to give a good account.

MR BOSSY BOOTS (IRE) had a valid excuse last time and wasted no time bouncing back to form, though again did himself no favours by pulling too hard; slowly away, mid-field, raced freely, stayed on well from 2f out; quite low mileage for his age and may do better still if his enthusiasm can be harnessed (worth trying in a hood), also eligible for lesser handicaps than this.

BERTIEWHITTLE ran to just a similar level as last time despite being reverted to a more suitable trip and not coming in for exagerrated waiting tactics; mid-field, effort 2f out, one paced; fairly weighted but remains a risky proposition, as a record of 1 win since 2011 demonstrates.

HAVE A NICE DAY was back at a more suitable trip and turned in one of his better efforts, sure to have been in the hunt for a place but for getting squeezed out in the final 100 yds (rated equal third); close up, driven home turn, keeping on when badly hampered, not recover; still 5 lb higher than for last success, though.

BADDILINI back in a visor after 8 weeks off, ran up to best, but in finishing mid-field he merely underlined his mark is too high, always around the same place.

RUSSIAN REALM minus the usual hood, ran to a similar level to last time, going about things in similar fashion as well despite the step back up in trip, merely making cheap gains late on; not one to be interested in until showing more.

LUNAR DEITY wasn't seen to best effect so deserves some credit for posting a respectable effort; held up, forced widest of all home turn, left with hopeless task as a result, not unduly knocked about, passed post with running left; worth another chance to show revised mark is workable.

AL KHAN (IRE) fared no better for the refitting of cheekpieces, never a threat, and has finished nearer last than first all starts on all-weather this winter.

PRIMROSE VALLEY looked to have plenty going for her, back on all-weather (rattled up 4-timer last winter) and boasting a good record when fresh, also refitted with a hood, so this has to go down as disappointing; mid-field, weakened in straight.

TROJAN ROCKET (IRE) turned in another poor effort and isn't one to be interested in despite sliding mark; close up, tight for room over 2f out, weakened.

HORSTED KEYNES (FR) ran poorly in a change of headgear (first-time cheekpieces), folding tamely in straight.