NEWTON ABBOT 15:25

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 12. Race Distance Adjustment: +138 yds

Time: 6m 28.3s Closing Sectional: (5f): 71.9s (99.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 100%

A fairly useful and competitive handicap that has a very solid look to it, the first 3 all either in form or winning when last seen; the pace was fair.

TIMEFORBEN (IRE) has progressed gradually all summer and improved a little further, the change of headgear (first-time blinkers) adding some extra impetus, and having no problems with the slightly longer trip; mid-field, smooth headway 3 out, led home turn, in command last, ridden out; sure to make another bold bid next time.

KINGS LAD (IRE) had had a breathing operaration since winning twice over fences in May and, back over hurdles, picked up where he left off, running up to his best in this sphere; pressed leader, travelled better than most, upsides seventh, led when untidy 3 out, headed approaching straight, kept on.

PERFECT MAN (IRE) ran to a similar level to when winning on stable debut despite this not getting to the bottom of him, likely to relish this sort of trip (and possibly even further) another day; mid-division, settled in rear before fifth, progress before 3 out, shuffled back leaving back straight, kept on well from 2 out; may yet do better for this yard, one to keep in mind.

TEMPESTATEFLORESCO upped in trip, ran creditably without the headgear this time; patiently ridden, not always fluent, pretty badly hampered by faller second, pushed along before 4 out, headway under pressure end of back straight, kept on.

LILLIAN (IRE) ran respectably after 7 weeks off; tracked pace, not fluent fourth, effort 3 out, held when mistake next, one paced.

KNIGHT OF NOIR (IRE) without the headgear this time, never really figured after 6 weeks off over a slightly longer trip; held up, off pace still home turn, merely passed beaten horses.

LORD TOPPER found life tougher after another 7 lb rise upped in grade; led, mistake sixth, joined when untidy next, headed 3 out, weakened.

WHATAKNIGHT looked a little rusty, rather yo-yoing through the field, ultimately shaping as if better for the run after 4 months off, though he'd have finished closer without late misfortune; held up, hampered second, took closer order fourth, lost place eighth, headway again home turn, badly hampered by loose horse early in straight, weakened, not persevered with once held.

NIGHT GENERATION (GER) was below form after 11 weeks off, out of his depth in this grade (1 lb out of handicap); chased leaders, not fluent seventh, shaken up early final circuit, lost place soon after, weakened.

BENEAGLES (IRE) in a change of headgear after 8 weeks off, was in mid-division when falling at the second.