NEWBURY 15:25

All 11 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 5m 4.1s Closing Sectional: (3.03f): 46.8s (98.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 102.2%

Much the same scenario as in previous runnings of a race that, though valuable and perfectly competitive in its own right, suffers from its proximity to Cheltenham, most of the progressive types who'd be cut out to win such a pot preferring to keep their powder dry for the lustre of Prestbury Park, best therefore to avoid going overboard about the pair who came clear for all they had plenty to recommend them; it was a well-run affair, excuses for beaten ones thin on the ground.

SOUND INVESTMENT (IRE) wasn't even entered at Cheltenham and confirmed the theory this might be his main target by providing his yard with another winner in this race, proving better than ever back at the right trip, evidently primed by his consistently excellent trainer following 10 weeks off; mid-field, shaken up early in straight, progress 3 out, chased leader from next, found plenty to lead well inside final 1f, driven out as runner-up rallied; the margin back to the fully exposed third might ensure a bigger rise than this form warrants, but connections presumably won't be too concerned if he doesn't add to his tally again this season.

BENNYS MIST (IRE) proved at least as good as ever having shaped so well at Sandown, sensibly not ridden so aggressively as he'd been that day, briefly looking to have this valuable prize in the bag only for the winner to pounce; chased leaders, jumped superbly, tanked along, led soon after 5 out, pressed on before 3 out, closed down approaching last, collared inside final 1f but rallied gamely to go down fighting; even though his mark will go up, it's worth reiterating that it's hard not to envisage him having a big say in the Topham at Aintree.

SIMPLY WINGS (IRE) ran much better than last time, not that he could lay a glove on the younger, better-handicapped pair ahead; mid-field, close up home turn, driven before 4 out, kept on.

SEVENTH SKY (GER) wasn't up to the task (even down 3 lb in the weights) in this tougher handicap but shaped as if still in good form; mid-field, ridden after 5 out, kept on.

ROYAL REGATTA (IRE) didn't give himself the chance to benefit from stepping up in trip for the first time over fences, several sloppy jumps leaving him with a mountain to climb from off the pace, testament to his ability that he managed to work his way into contention briefly 3 out until the effort told, all in all better than the bare result despite the negative aspects of the display.

BALLYGARVEY (FR) didn't get home ridden forcefully in a competitive race back at 2½m, a couple of errors along the way not helping his cause, including one 5 out that saw him lose the lead he'd taken at the ninth; despite having won at this trip he's arguably best around 2m (free-going type).

MIDNIGHT BELLE faced a stiffer task up 4 lb in a higher grade of handicap; ridden more patiently, off pace, progress eleventh, one paced from 3 out.

HEADLY'S BRIDGE (IRE) probably just wasn't up to the task in this grade after 9 weeks off but was hardly ridden to best advantage, widest throughout and not unduly punished as he made no further impression from the home turn.

EASTER METEOR has been given a chance by the handicapper and, in first-time cheekpieces, shaped better than previously for this yard, at least to some degree, doing a fair bit wrong as well, perhaps linked to being ridden more patiently than usual; jumped left and went in snatches off pace but made effort 3 out and keeping on alongside Seventh Sky when blundering at the last, unable to recover; such is his mark, he couldn't be totally written off at Cheltenham with a view to a more familiar ride.

SAINT RAPH (FR) disappointed up in grade, probably more to it than forcing a good pace, headed at the ninth and faltering before 5 out, possibly amiss.

WESTWARD POINT looked a smart prospect when making his second chase start a winning one in December 2013 but just didn't run his race 15 months on, hard to ignore the run completely but equally unwise to think he's a shadow of his former self given he didn't help his cause; raced freely and not fluent under more patient ride, pulled way to prominence from fifth, lost place tenth and beaten before 4 out.