NEWCASTLE 16:15

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 9.

Time: 4m 0.4s Closing Sectional: (2.9f): 42.9s (101.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 100.1%

A good-quality race for a weekday card in the North but, set against the expected standard of a 0-140, one that fell a shade below the mark, the winner one of only a few not exposed and/or weighted up to their best, unlikely any of them would do much in a comparable class of handicap at, say, Aintree.

AVIDITY has been turned inside out by the refitting of a tongue strap and produced a second successive career best since the return of the aid; handy, went with enthusiasm, chased leader fourth, upsides 4 out, went on early in straight, ridden after 2 out, joined run-in, found extra, again no sign of past weak-finishing ways, if anything possibly idling; he still hasn't had much racing overall, better still not out of the equation.

EMRAL SILK is still improving as it is but would do some serious damage if it wasn't for his chronically clumsy jumping, some effort here to go so close given mistakes made, one of several errors seeing him drop to rear after the fourth before he rallied in the straight, doing plenty to get upsides after the last only for the winner to find extra, a small flick of the tail probably nothing to be concerned about, unlike his hurdling technique.

LIGHTENING ROD found it easier in calmer waters and looked right back on his game, showing his form away from Wetherby for the first time this season; patiently ridden, smooth headway home turn, effort when clouted 3 out, ridden after, kept on.

PEARL CASTLE (IRE) might have just needed the run after 7 months off, shaping encouragingly either way, a second positive effort from as many handicap hurdle starts; in touch, went with zest, going well when crossing 3 out, every chance when untidy next, kept on until final 50 yds.

DARK DUNE (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, though his jumping wasn't faultless even here, joined in front when belting 4 out, proving one paced in the straight but not totally left behind.

JET MASTER (IRE) kept hurdling, possibly still needed this run and was ridden with an eye on another day (usual tongue tie left off), never on terms but not knocked about.

ROBBIE back over hurdles, merely underlined he's a better chaser from a mark that doesn't reflect such a discrepancy; held up, some headway out wide 4 out, pushed along home turn, effort proved short-lived.

MIDNIGHT GAME did no better dropped back in grade, his second here last month looking potentially suspect at the time and remaining a clear standout on his hurdling season; handy, ridden approaching straight, brushed aside 3 out.

IVAN BORU (IRE) failed badly to repeat his Sedgefield effort, fortunate that day or not; pressed leader, lost place when ridden fifth, tailed off early in straight.