NEWBURY 14:35

Non Runners: DUSKY LEGEND. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 4m 56.1s Closing Sectional: (4.14f): 59.2s (98.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 127%, Betfair SP 100%

A cracking renewal of this long-established novice event, as good looking a field to have taken part in recent times, plenty of the runners boasting positive profiles, 11 of the 17 handicap debutants, the first 2 about the least exposed in the line-up, the well-backed third bringing solid open handicap form, all in all the race as strong as it gets in terms of mares handicaps, and it should certainly throw up winners, both in mares handicaps and novice chases next season; incidentally, both first and second are by Kalanisi, a sire noted more for hurdlers than chasers, though both have the physique and pedigree on the dam's side to suggest they have some potential in that sphere for next season.

KALANE (IRE) was one of the least exposed, and proved well suited by the marked step up in distance, showing much improved form; held up, travelled well, mistake fifth, not clear run after seventh, headway 3 out, led after last, stayed on strongly; will stay beyond 21f; open to further improvement and sure to be of interest again.

HANNAH'S PRINCESS (IRE) making handicap debut, progressed again, typically travelling smoothly under a much more patient ride than previously; in rear, travelled well, headway 3 out, led on bridle next, headed after last, kept on well; open to further improvement.

SPARTAN ANGEL (IRE) had some good handicap form to her name and looked to have been laid out for this, very well backed after 3 months off, but well though she ran she found an unexposed pair too strong for her, no excues; in touch, travelled well, every chance 2 out, one paced last; on a fair mark and may well gain compensation in lesser grade.

TARA MIST making handicap debut, ran her best race over hurdles, though less testing ground seemed to count against her at this trip, just short of pace when it mattered; held up, headway approaching straight, not quicken 3 out, kept on well after next, never landed a blow; will be suited by 3m; open to further improvement as her stamina is fully tested.

TANIOKEY (IRE) upped in trip, looked on a stiff enough mark on her handicap debut and ran her best race over hurdles, on less testing ground as well; in touch, shaken up straight, every chance 2 out, not quicken; will stay beyond 21f; my do better still.

RONS DREAM on less testing ground than previously, making handicap debut, ran creditably in first-time tongue strap, ridden more prominently and doing best of those that raced close to the pace; chased leader, travelled well, every chance 2 out, not quicken.

TWENTYTWO'S TAKEN (IRE) upped markedly in trip and on less testing ground than previously, was totally unexposed but had been given a demanding mark for her handicap debut and ran her best race, despite being unable to land a blow, still signs of inexperience on show (also on toes beforehand); held up, travelled well, not clear run after seventh, effort 3 out, stayed on, never landed a blow; open to further improvement.

BALLYHOLLOW on less testing ground than previously over hurdles, wasn't disgraced in first-time hood, perhaps needing further under these conditions; led, mistake fifth, headed sixth, led again after seventh, headed 3 out, weakened quickly, not persevered with once held.

THEREGOESTHETRUTH (IRE) was below form on less testing ground than previously, with a good chance the drying surface was against her; held up, ridden after seventh, outpaced early in straight; will stay 3m.

QUEEN OF THE STAGE (IRE) was off a mark 10 lb higher than on her previous start in a handicap and wasn't disgraced (though her rider could claim this time), the result overall suggesting the BHA handicapper has too high a view of the listed race she contested last time, albeit on very different ground; chased leader, pushed along after fourth, led briefly 3 out, weakened before last.

MIDNIGHT JAZZ making handicap debut, on less testing ground than previously, was below form, lacking something in size and potential in relation to many of her rivals; in touch, shaken up straight, made no impression.

ALLEZ ENCORE (IRE) upped markedly in trip, was well held on handicap debut, dropping out as if there was more to it than lack of stamina (bred to stay); waited with, took keen hold, headway seventh, ridden straight, weakened quickly; her initial mark looks high enough.

KILRONAN HIGH (IRE) making handicap debut, would have run respectably had she not departed at the last, around 8 lengths down at the time; in touch, travelled well, ridden 3 out, not quicken, held when fell last.

BRIERY BELLE ran poorly for no obvious reason, one of the first in trouble; held up, ridden seventh, pulled up 2 out, made no impression.

MORELLO ROYALE (IRE) went as if amiss back on less testing ground after 8 weeks off; went handy second, led sixth, headed after next, folded tamely early in straight, pulled up 2 out.

BOBS LADY TAMURE had gone up a lot for a wide-margin win in the mud and found this task far more than she could cope with, the drying ground perhaps a factor as well; held up, labouring seventh, pulled up 3 out.

CRESSWELL BREEZE had been clobbered for her wide-margin win last time, and although she had been progressing well on soft/heavy going, she ran poorly under very different circumstances (down in trip as well) and in a considerably stronger race; handy, lost place sixth, tailed off early in straight, pulled up last.