SANDOWN PARK 14:10

Non Runners: ROBIN HOODS BAY. Race Distance Adjustment: +10 yds

Time: 2m 15.89s

Overrounds: Industry SP 107%, Betfair SP 99.3%

Last year's renewal of this Group 3 was won by Al Kazeem, who went on to enjoy a prolific campaign in Group 1s, and beforehand it wasn't unrealisitc to expect the likes of Telescope and/or Sky Hunter to ultimately make at least some sort of impact in similar contests this year but, with both making their reappearances on ground softer than anticipated, they were turned over by Noble Mission, a frustrating sort - talented but not known as much of a battler - who, dropped in trip and ridden more aggressively than previously, put his race fitness and proven effectiveness on testing ground to good use to ultimately run out an authoritative winner, though it remains to be seen if the performance was quite what it looked.

NOBLE MISSION is a talented and reliable performer but has become known as one can also usually be relied on to give best to at least one other when it comes to a battle, but, switched to front-running tactics for the first time in his career on this drop back in trip, he looked a different proposition in recording a ready success from more fancied rivals, though very much seen to maximum effect; soon led and set just a modest pace, went with usual zest, pushed along over 2f out, clear over 1f out and kept going well to win largely unchallenged, found more than usual; the manner of this success likely owed plenty to a fitness advantage and effectivess on ground this testing (market rivals both reappearing and mostly raced on sounder surfaces), and it remains to be seen whether he's up to repeating this in a more competitive environment, but it's still perfectly feasible that adding a strong finish to his undoubted talent in the first 90% of a race likely contributed to at least some improvement on the day.

TELESCOPE (IRE) ended his 3-y-o campaign by winning the Group 2 Great Voltegeur Stakes in good style at York in August (missed rest of season after sustaining small chip to near-fore fetlock) and very much appealed as being in the mould of a likely Sir Michael Stoute improver as a 4yo, and this defeat shouldn't detract much if at all from that feeling, reported beforehand to likely need this first outing for 8 months (shaped that way too) and also unraced on ground softer than good, let alone deep conditions like this; tracked pace, travelled fluently, chased leader over 3f out, driven 2f out, not quicken, one paced from over 1f out and no impression on winner; it remains to be seen if he's going to make up into a genuine Group 1 performer this year, but his next outing back on a sounder surface should reveal plenty.

CONTRIBUTER (IRE) took a step forward when scoring tidily at Kempton on his return but, though having form with some cut in the ground, shaped as though these conditons may have been just too testing and best not judged harshly on this, showed more than beaten distance suggests; held up, smooth progress 3f out to track leaders, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, found little; he's worth another chance and it'll be no great surprise if he can progress to win at Group 3 level at some stage this year.

SKY HUNTER 's only defeat when with Andre Fabre in France last year came when producing his best effort to be third in the French Derby and was well backed to produce a winning return after 9 months off, but he was sweating/on his toes beforehand and keen enough in the early stages of the race, and ultimately proved to be a disappointment; led for 1f racing keenly but soon restrained to race in touch, effort 3f out, no impression and left behind after 2f out; he might have needed this after all and may be happier back on better ground, but clearly has something to prove on the back of this underwhelming return.

EMPIRE STORM (GER) with a first-time hood added to tongue strap on this return to turf after 7 weeks off, faced a stiff task against this callibre of opposion but ran poorly all the same; chased leader, effort over 3f out, lost place soon after, dropped away.