NEWBURY 14:10

All 6 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 13.75s

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 101.5%

A perennially informative staying novice prize and it attracted a strong field for the time of year, 3 of them already Grade 2 winners, and it was that trio that fought out a tight finish; the pace wasn't breakneck by any means, which in part explains the tight finish, and that did suit Parlour Games, who has plenty of speed and a relative turn of foot, although in coming from last place he still did well.

PARLOUR GAMES backed up all and more of what he'd achieved when accounting for Blaklion in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month, confirming superiority over the same rival on 3 lb worse terms, this a deeper field in general too, and whilst he was again suited by the way the race developed he is clearly a very useful, progressive novice; patiently ridden, jumped well and travelled powerfully, headway approaching 3 out, quickened to lead flat, driven out; his smooth way of going about things leaves scope for even better performances to come and he's reportedly likely to be freshened up now in preparation for the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival, that over the same C&D as for last month's win, although it's worth pointing out that in a more truly-run race over this far at a stiff track his stamina would be tested more than it has before.

VYTA DU ROC (FR) lost his unbeaten record in Britain but ran another excellent race to go down only narrowly, this flatter track perhaps not so much in his favour as Cheltenham and Sandown had been - even over an extra 1f - as his style of racing does lend itself more to a stiff finish; in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, close up there, upsides last, edged ahead briefly, kept on well after headed by winner; he's proving consistent and will continue to run well in similar events.

BLAKLION has held his form admirably throughout a busy 3-month period, unable to turn the tables with Parlour Games from Cheltenham last month but again running to a near-smart level of form and, although he's not a slow horse and is effective at this trip, the suspicion is that he ideally needs the emphasis more on stamina, mindful of how strongly he saw out 3m on his previous start; made running, ridden when headed soon after last, stuck to task; he remains open to improvement with a view to going back up in trip and the Albert Bartlett appeals as the best race for him when it comes to Cheltenham Festival targets.

ONE TRACK MIND (IRE) acquitted himself well up in grade, showing improved form without quite being up to the task, and the experience of competing at this level won't be lost on him; held up, pushed along after 4 out, driven 2 out, kept on.

ARPEGE D'ALENE (FR) impressed when making a winning British debut at Ascot 6 weeks ago and, although found out in this much better company, it was a similar effort on form to last time and should aid his overall development; chased leader until 3 out, outpaced, kept on, no match for principals; he remains unexposed.

NATIVE RIVER (IRE) wasn't up to this better company and will need his sights lowering again, but it was a creditable effort on form; close up, driven 2 out, faded.