NEWBURY 14:00

All 3 ran. Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +117 yds

Time: 5m 20.2s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 59.6s (104.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 108%, Betfair SP 99.8%

There might have been only 3 runners, which is clearly a concern for a race with the Challow's prestige and history, but there's no doubting that the winner is well up to standard for the race and in seeing off 2 promising and useful rivals in such emphatic fashion he confirmed himself as exciting a staying novice as there is around, with the Spa an obvious target in the spring, this race as usual more about stamina than speed.

BARTERS HILL (IRE) looked a novice right out of the top drawer in following up his win on hurdling debut in very similar fashion, stamina very much his long suit; led, ran wide on bend and briefly shaken up circuit out, shaken up 3 out, stayed on strongly, impressive; will be hard to beat in novices in which stamina is at a premium and very much the type for the Spa and Sefton in the spring (will be suited by 3m).

POLITOLOGUE (FR) ran to a similar level as last time over 3f longer trip, looking to be going best in the straight but not nearly so strong in the finish as the winner; waited with, travelled well, effort 2 out, no impression on winner, took second late on.

LABEL DES OBEAUX (FR) ran to a similar level to previously over hurdles, just not up to the task against such a promising rival, run out of second late on; tracked pace, not always fluent, took keen hold, effort 3 out, one paced next.