THIRSK 16:30

All 8 ran.

Time: 1m 9.56s Closing Sectional: (3f): 34.32s (101.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 102.4%

A useful standard in this handicap and a few in the field are worth being positive about, even if a bunched finish caps the bare form and trouble in running meant a few were better than the bare result; the pace was sound.

REX IMPERATOR benefited from the drop back to 6f and showed he's still useful in ending a losing run stretching back to the 2013 Stewards' Cup; mid-division, travelled well, had to wait for gap under 2f out, produced to lead final 1f, driven out; his new stable seems to have found the key to him, and he'll remain potentially very well treated on old form.

IT MUST BE FAITH back up in trip, ran up to best; made running, ridden over 1f out, headed final 1f, stuck to task.

STEELRIVER (IRE) returned to form after 6 weeks off and was quite possibly unlucky not to make a race of it, getting in the clear all too late; held up, travelled well, headway when no room over 1f out, switched final 1f, finished well; he's been given a chance by the handicapper with a lower turf mark and is one to bear in mind for next time.

FENDALE gelded since last seen, ran well making handicap debut from what looked a fairly high mark on first outing for 7 weeks/since leaving Bryan Smart, that despite not everything going to plan; held up, travelled well, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched entering final 1f, ran on; still unexposed, he's got the physique of a better 3-y-o and could easily improve further for this stable.

KENNY THE CAPTAIN (IRE) wasn't disgraced in a better race than he's obliged to tackle; mid-division, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders final 1f, kept on.

AMBITIOUS ICARUS shaped as if still in good form; awkward leaving stalls, raced off the pace, ridden when switched over 1f out, ran on, never nearer, not ideally placed.

VALLARTA (IRE) wasn't in same form as last time; chased leader, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final 1f; type to bounce back quickly.

GREEB strong in betting, proved to be a disappointment, maybe not recovered from a good run on reappearance 20 days earlier, bearing in mind the absence that preceded that effort; close up, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, weakening when hampered final 1f, eased.