MUSSELBURGH 15:25

Non Runners: ABOVE THE REST (IRE).

Time: 1m 30.4s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.95s (99.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 99.3%

A steadyish early gallop picked up from halfway, soon enough to allow the winner to come from a very unpromising position; a few weren't at their best on the ground, notably Tribal Warrior who was very uneasy in the market.

BLOWN BY WIND after 6 weeks off, bounced back to his best encountering testing ground for the first time since his debut at 2 yrs (which he won by a similarly emphatic margin to this), no mean feat to win from so far back around here; blindfold removed fractionally late, in rear, shaken up over 3f out, good headway out wide over 1f out, led approaching last ½f, stayed on strongly; clearly fully at home in the mud, he'll look pretty well treated if turned out under a penalty.

MONTATHAM ran up to his best pitched into a good-quality event against older horses, despite finding this barely enough of a test; mid-field, effort when edged left under 2f out, progress over 1f out, stayed on and took second close home; remains with potential, particularly back over 1m.

THREE SAINTS BAY (IRE) after 6 weeks off, got straight back on track returned to handicap company, and might have done better still had his rider continued to just sit in front for longer; led, quickened quite markedly around halfway, looked in control briefly 2f out, headed approaching last ½f, no extra.

TRIBAL WARRIOR one of only a few who brought a progressive profile into the race, though seemingly not the easiest to train (missed another 3 months), seemed unsuited by conditions having been very easy to back, momentarily looking like playing a part before the ground appeared to take its toll; held up, headway 2f out, threatened briefly, no further impression, not unduly punished; remains open to improvement back on less-testing ground/all-weather.

BARRISTAN THE BOLD back on very testing ground, was a bit below par after 7 weeks off, though perhaps this will set him up for an all-weather campaign (unexposed on that surface and his Newcastle win came in a pretty good time); tracked pace, effort when edged right 2f out, one paced.

SHAWAAMEKH failed to meet expectations (very strong in the betting), this the first real blip of his career; raced wide, in touch, shaken up under 3f out, not quicken under 2f out.

ARCANADA (IRE) couldn't get near the front after a slowish start back up in grade and ran poorly; missed the break, mid-division, pushed along well over 3f out, not quicken, never a threat.

MUNTADAB (IRE) fared no better back in a handicap; chased leader, not quicken over 2f out, weakened, not persevered with once held.

EXCELLENT TIMES ran even worse back in a handicap, possibly unsuited by the return to testing conditions; held up, effort when hung right under 3f out, made no impression.