PONTEFRACT 16:00

Non Runners: TOP NOTCH TONTO (IRE).

Time: 1m 43.32s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.35s (97.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 102%

Hard form to quantify, Fire Ship and Let's Go evidently not right and Mondialiste stretching right away from a couple of rivals who looked to hold similar form claims beforehand, the all-the-way winner probably producing a career best but not to anything like the extent that a quick glance at the result might suggest.

MONDIALISTE (IRE) was back on softer ground for the first time since the Lincoln and, whilst this form is hard to quantify and he was seen to maximum effect, there's little doubt that it represents a career best, underfoot conditions probably important to him to some degree but clearly a pattern performer when things are right; dictated, travelled fluently, kicked on early in straight, went clear soon after, stayed on strongly.

SHORT SQUEEZE (IRE) shaped as if still in good form for all he was put firmly in his place by the winner; tracked pace, travelled as well as any, shaken up early in straight, not quicken.

BIRDMAN (IRE) probably remains in good heart for all he was strictly well below the level of his form in handicaps this year, this race possibly not suiting him as well and surely not as good a race to judge him on, anyway; waited with, shaken up early in straight, not quicken.

HAIL THE HERO (IRE) faced yet another stiff task and once more wasn't up to it; chased leaders, ridden approaching straight, one paced.

FIRE SHIP had won this race 2 years earlier and looked to have ideal conditions to show his form again but ran no sort of race, turning in a lacklustre display; waited with, went with little fluency, beaten over 2f out.

LET'S GO (USA) must have been amiss upped in grade; prominent, ridden 3f out, dropped away soon after, eased; he'd shown a level of form at Wolverhampton to suggest he was more than capable of making his presence felt at this level.