NEWCASTLE 17:35

All 6 ran.

Time: 3m 39.28s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.45s (111.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.7%

A steadily-run handicap with the emphasis firmly on speed, not suiting the favourite, but the winner also arrived in form, gamely fending off a lightly-raced sort who did pretty well to come from the back.

AMERICAN GIGOLO completed the hat-trick making handicap debut in this sphere, improving again in the process, coping well with the emphasis on speed over this longer trip; in touch, travelled well, headway to lead approaching final 1f, tackled soon after, held on gamely; he's going the right way and will remain of interest.

STARGAZER (IRE) a smart/progressive performer for Sir Michael Stoute, shaped as if retaining all ability upped in trip after 19 months off, impressing with the ease in which he got into contention having been poorly placed when the sprint for home began; in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final 1f, kept on, just failed; new connections picked him up cheaply but he looks a good purchase on this evidence, so long as he can stand more racing.

DUBAWI FIFTY couldn't land the hat-trick but shaped as if still in top form, simply finding the emphasis too much on speed; close up, led under 3f out, headed approaching final 1f, rallied, kept on; he'd been steadily progressive prior to this and left the impression that he can get back on the up under more favourable circumstances.

SUEGIOO (FR) ran a typical race, extending his very lengthy losing sequence; raced off the pace, switched approaching 2f out, carried head awkwardly, one paced.

CONTINUUM failed to back up dubious latest effort; tracked pace, ridden over 2f out, faded final 1f.

SWASHBUCKLE won a jumpers bumper at Southwell last time but ran no sort of race, checking out fairly tamely having dictated; led, headed under 3f out, weakened under 2f out.