PONTEFRACT 16:15

Non Runners: AMRALAH (IRE), AJMAN BRIDGE.

Time: 2m 19.33s

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.1%

One of the more valuable, better-quality handicaps through these early weeks of the turf season but it wasn't a competitive affair, very little getting into it, Clayton and Stepping Ahead always the first two as those from off the pace struggled to make up ground even though the gallop seemed fair.

CLAYTON had run well first time out in the previous two seasons and proved better than ever to make a winning return from 7 months off this time around; chased leader, travelled smoothly, challenged home turn, went on over 1f out, edged left, all out to hold on as runner-up rallied; will be vulnerable off higher marks in all likelihood but gives running more often than not and is a versatile/straightforward type (settles better nowadays than he used to).

STEPPING AHEAD (FR) wasted no time getting back on track after flopping at Lingfield last time, producing best effort to date in fact, the return to testing ground on turf probably suiting (won on heavy last season); made running, headed over 1f out, forced to switch soon after, rallied well and would probably have got back up in another 50 yards or so; he should definitely stay 1½m on this evidence.

SENNOCKIAN STAR ran respectably after 7 weeks off, probably still working his way back, mindful of how he thrived on racing last summer; chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

SAFE HOME (IRE) fit from jumps, wasn't disgraced under more testing conditions than he'd encountered previously but equally hardly gave the impression he's in the form to take advantage of what is a potentially handy mark based on pick of his Irish form last year; chased leaders, driven 2f out, wandered, one paced.

GUNNER LINDLEY (IRE) who was fit from jumps, shaped better than the bare result; held up, headway when met some trouble around 3f out, kept on, never a threat but wasn't well placed in a race that little got into.

ROMANTIC SETTINGS might just be taking more time to come to herself this season, again below form here but faring better than on return at least; chased leaders, struggling 3f out, faded.

CENTURIUS disappointed in first-time cheekpieces, possibly unsuited by conditions but hinting at temperament too; mid-division, driven 3f out, hung left and looked rather awkward, never a threat.

LAS VERGLAS STAR (IRE) probably needed run after 5 months off and wasn't seen to best effect under patient tactics anyway; in rear, beaten 2f out, made no impression but not knocked about; should be sharper for the run.

EASY TERMS had gone well over this C&D first time out in previous couple of seasons but was well held after 7 months off this time around; slowly into stride, in rear, effort 3f out, soon beaten, made no impression.

ZIP WIRE (IRE) ran no sort of race; raced off the pace, looked none too keen, beaten over 3f out, eased off.