NEWTON ABBOT 14:30

All 6 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 5m 34.4s Closing Sectional: (3.25f): 50.2s (103.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 101.4%

There was an element of Some Buckle doing the least wrong in the race, but to say he was a winner by default is to do him a disservice, a convincing display by him, also probably a lifetime best, despite the lengthy absence; the pace steadied mid-race, more so when Dusky Lark gave up the lead at the sixth, and Some Buckle found himself in front at the tenth.

SOME BUCKLE (IRE) hasn't done the racing that most of his age have, explaining the bit of improvement that went a long way in a race like this, there for the taking with most of the others letting themselves down in one way or another, doing it clinically all the same, travelling/jumping well and in control from the tenth, opening up after 4 out; despite being out for a full year, it's unlikely he'll come on much if at all for this, all 4 of his career wins gained after breaks of 2 months or more.

DREAM BOLT (IRE) better for a break (10 weeks), a difference in him from when last seen, never engaging Some Buckle but held up and last of the 5 still going at 4 out, closing slowly but surely thereafter, going second between the last 2.

VIBRATO VALTAT (FR) found himself in a lower-level handicap, not that it was in any way liberating for him, jumping too poorly to capitalise, a series of mistakes - before and after he was left in front at the sixth - shuffling him back to the last pair at 4 out, little kudos in his rally for third.

ICING ON THE CAKE (IRE) hasn't seen a race out strongly for a while, hinting at a problem, possibly in line for a wind op, threatening more for a good way here, going second 5 out and within 2 lengths of Some Buckle 3 out, a stain that the poor-jumping Vibrato Valtat took third off him by the line.

DUSKY LARK lost the lead with a very ponderous leap at the sixth, losing momentum and possibly some confidence, unseating 3 fences later.

MARRACUDJA (FR) no sooner pulled himself together at Musselburgh than blotted his copybook here, 2½ months on, half-reluctant at the start and giving away 10 lengths, getting into third by the tenth before the effort caught up, over a longer trip than usual, booked for last when unseating at the final fence.