MUSSELBURGH 15:15

All 8 ran.

Time: 58.95s

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 101.3%

A starting point for the year for all but one, but a sound pace and the presence of the ultra-reliable El Astronaute means this form can be expected to hold up better than many conditions races at this stage of the season.

TANASOQ (IRE) rattled off a 4-timer in May/June in his first season for this yard and looks set for another fruitful early campaign on this evidence, proving better than ever in the face of a stiff task on these terms after 6 months off (though did attract support at long odds); dwelt, waited with, smooth headway over 1f out, challenged last ½f, edged ahead late on.

EL ASTRONAUTE (IRE) finished no worse than fourth all season last year, a remarkable feat considering the type of race he tends to contest, and this was a more-than-satisfactory return from 6 months off, very narrowly failing to concede a penalty for a listed win on his final 2018 start; down on his nose and shifted right at the start, pressed leader, went on under 2f out, tackled inside final 1f, edged out close home; this should set him up for another profitable campaign.

TARBOOSH has seen his Timeform rating rise 20 lb or so in each of his 2 seasons with this yard (now bordering on very smart) and although, strictly speaking, he was a long way off running to form back from 5 months off, it was still a positive return and should help to blow the cobwebs away; hampered start, chased leaders, travelled better than most, every chance inside final 1f, not quicken late on.

ROYAL BRAVE (IRE) has a super course record and fared much better in the face of a stiff task than he did in this race in 2018, running right up to form after 5 months off; patiently ridden, had to wait for gap under 2f out, switched approaching final 1f, ran on, nearest at the finish.

MERRY BANTER shaped as if better for the run after 6 months off, while she'd have been much better off with most of these in a handicap; led until under 2f out, faded but didn't completely wilt; she'll be worth a look back in a 0-90 or 0-85 with this under her belt.

CAPTAIN COLBY (USA) ended 2018 in fine form but looked particularly rusty back from 5 months off having had a breathing operation (also lost a shoe); hampered start, mid-field, pushed along halfway, left behind over 1f out; may need a few starts to work his way back to fitness on this evidence.

MERHOOB (IRE) has been holding his form tremendously well on the all-weather and this return to turf is best overlooked given the trouble he met at the start, though he has to prove he can run to his synthetic levels on this surface; badly hampered soon after start, raced off the pace, ridden halfway, never involved.

LONGROOM was out of his depth after 6 months off (fitted with first-time tongue strap) but didn't run quite as badly as the distance beaten suggests; awkward leaving stalls, raced wide, mid-division, effort 2f out, faded over 1f out.