NEWTON ABBOT 19:30

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 51.7s Closing Sectional: (5.2f): 66.1s (108.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.8%

This ended up an uncompetitive affair, though that owed more to an improved performance by the very easy winner than any failings of the others and it could be unwise to underestimate this form; Oyster Shell ensured it was a well-run affair.

DUBAI PRINCE (IRE) stepped up on his reappearance with a hugely impressive win and possibly just needed that run more than seemed likely; held up, travelled strongly, rapid headway back straight, mistake 3 out, produced to lead 2 out, quickened clear soon after, had plenty in hand; this would suggest he retains all of the ability which saw him become a very smart Flat performer several years ago and he looks well worth his place in better company.

WILLEM (FR) without the headgear this time, returned to form after 7 weeks off and was possibly helped by a switch to more restrained tactics; mid-division, travelled well, blundered third, headway end of back straight, challenged 2 out, kept on, albeit no match at all for the very easy winner.

PURPLE 'N GOLD (IRE) is running consistently well at present and produced another creditable placed effort here; chased leader, went with zest, every chance end of back straight, led briefly leaving home turn, brushed aside from 2 out, no match for the very easy winner; likely to continue in form.

PARTY PALACE is operating below best at present and, after just 5 days off, predictably struggled from just out of the handicap; in touch, outpaced back straight, brushed aside soon after 3 out, kept on again latter stages.

OYSTER SHELL continues out of sorts; troublesome at start, soon well clear, raced freely, joined end of back straight, headed leaving home turn, soon done with, one paced straight; not one to be interested in at present.

FROZEN OVER looks a shade high in the weights now and found his run of good form coming to a halt, though this run is probably best ignored as he wasn't seen to best effect; held up, still plenty to do after 3 out, shaken up briefly home turn, not persevered with once held; left poorly placed given how things unfolded here and type to quickly bounce back.

COLLODI (GER) after just 7 days off, failed to repeat that improved Stratford effort and there's no getting away from the fact that his form is proving very patchy at present; waited with, jumped none too fluently, ridden after 3 out, soon done with home turn, held when blundered 2 out, faded; hard to catch right.