NEWCASTLE 15:40

Non Runners: KEALIGOLANE (IRE), DIOCLES (IRE). Fences: 13.

Time: 5m 20.1s

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.7%

Not the strongest of races for the grade, Galway Jack setting just a fair pace, but a result that looks solid in terms of the principals, a trio of in-form ones dominating from 4 out.

GALWAY JACK (IRE) was a fortunate winner at Southwell earlier in the month, but had been raised just 1 lb and proved at least as good as ever to follow up; made running, joined approaching 4 out, edged ahead again approaching 2 out, driven out; did enjoy an uncontested lead, though is clearly at the top of his game and should remain competitive.

BADGER FOOT (IRE) again ran creditably; waited with, headway from sixth, challenged approaching 4 out, driven approaching next, kept on; had every chance and would appear to have little in hand from this mark, but is likely to continue in form.

MITCHELL'S WAY back in handicap company, had no easy task under a penalty and this represents a further step forward in form terms, likely to have pushed Galway Jack close with a more fluent round of jumping; raced wide, patiently ridden, headway sixth, blundered next, hit 5 out, ridden soon after, again flashed tail, ran on.

CATEGORICAL was easy to back and ran below the form he showed when winning here earlier in the month, unable to lead on this occasion and running a rather puzzling race; chased leader early, lost place second and soon dropped to rear, pushed along 5 out, kept on again from 3 out despite not being knocked about, his rider seemingly accepting the situation some way out; better than he could show here.

YOU KNOW YOURSELF (IRE) back down in trip, ran one of his lesser races; handy, jumped none too fluently, weakened approaching 4 out.

ZARU (FR) after 3 months off, failed to complete; in touch, took strong hold, blundered sixth, lost place approaching eighth, ridden when not fluent 4 out, plugged on but held when unseated rider last, would have run below form.

ROSSINI'S DANCER after 8 weeks off, turned in another lacklustre display and looks to have gone off the boil; raced wide, in rear, mistake first and went with little fluency, lost touch 5 out; something to prove at present.