NEWBURY 15:00

All 5 ran. Hurdles: 12. Race Distance Adjustment: +138 yds

Time: 6m 2s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 54.3s (108.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.4%

The winners of the last 4 runnings of this race were all in the line-up, though they faced a formidable opponent in the returning champion staying hurdler, Paisley Park, the veteran Thistlecrack showing there's plenty of ability left in pushing the winner hard, the race marred by a fatal injury to the 2017 winner Beer Goggles; the pace was fair, quickening approaching the straight.

PAISLEY PARK (IRE) the top staying hurdler last season, was given a good workout by one who has been top class in his day, shaping very encouragingly after 9 months off, given a race that perhaps didn't test his stamina to the max, setting himself up for a defence next of the Long Walk; patiently ridden, travelled well, effort after 3 out, led soon after next, kept on well run-in, asserted late on; will continue to take all the beating in top staying hurdles.

THISTLECRACK successful in this race as long ago as 2015, ran a cracker back over hurdles after 9 months off; patiently ridden, not always fluent, travelled well, every chance from 3 out, kept on well run-in, held only late on; he hasn't stood a lot of racing in recent seasons, but he won the King George as a novice in 2016 and was runner-up to Clan des Obeaux last season, so he seems likely to take his chance again there.

THE WORLDS END (IRE) meeting the winner at level weights, ran well in a stronger Grade 2 than he'd won at Wetherby, needing no excuses; led, jumped well, went with zest, ridden after 3 out, headed soon after next, not quicken run-in; he's back in very good heart this winter, though it's hard to see him lowering the colours of the winner if that one is on song.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY successful in the 2016 and 2018 runnings of this race, was below form, going backwards from his reappearance at the start of the month (had the same chance as the third on that form); chased leader, weakened 3 out.

BEER GOGGLES (IRE) winner of this race in 2017, met a sad end, fatally injured on his first outing since leaving Kayley Woollacott after 22 months off; in rear, travelled well, went wrong and pulled up soon after 3 out.