EXETER 14:30

All 11 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +36 yds

Time: 6m 15.3s Closing Sectional: (2.2f): 34.3s (98.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 96.4%

A standard handicap chase for the grade, the winner seeming to find a bit of improvement for the fitting of first-time headgear.

MIDNIGHT GLANCE took a step forward in first-time cheekpieces as he got off the mark as a chaser, the headgear presumably a catalyst as he'd had several chances from similar marks previously, though the race he ran in last time has worked out very well; mid-field, smooth headway approaching 4 out, produced to lead soon after next, pushed out run-in as second finished strongly, the pair ending up well clear.

REPRESENTING BOB (IRE) ran at least as well as when bumping into Tea For Free at Uttoxeter but did make hard work of it, especially as there was again nothing wrong with his jumping; raced off the pace, off the bridle long way out, headway under pressure from 4 out, kept on well run-in and so strong at the finish that he'd pulled well clear of the rest by the line; it maybe won't be surprising to see him fitted with cheekpieces next time.

KINGSMILL GIN after 7 months off, shaped better than the distance beaten suggests and looks to have returned in better form than she finished the previous season; chased leaders, led under pressure approaching 4 out, headed after next, weakening when steadied into last.

DAN'S CHOSEN (IRE) shaped as if still in good heart in this deeper affair but his response off the bridle was rather underwhelming; held up, travelled smoothly, crept closer approaching straight, shaken up after 4 out, found less than looked likely.

WILLIAM PHILO after 9 months off, showed plenty to work on sent chasing and is a likely improver, sure to be an interesting runner in a 0-100 with this behind him; waited with, untidy fourth, took closer order after sixth, ridden approaching straight, no threat from 4 out, plugged on.

FINDUSATGORCOMBE ran creditably on the balance of his recent form from 4 lb out of the weights after 10 weeks off; helped force pace, one paced straight.

TEA TIME ON MARS shaped as if needing the run after 7 months off, though he did seem to be a fading force last season so more evidence is required before suggesting he's ready take advantage of a mark that's fallen a long way; helped force pace, weakened from 4 out.

EARTH BUSINESS (IRE) consented to set off this time but hardly looked enthusiastic all the same, one to treat with caution nowadays it would seem; in rear, labouring badly before eleventh, tailed off soon after.

GENERATOR CITY (IRE) added another non-completion to his recent record; mid-field, not fluent twelfth, dropped away after 5 out.

JOHNNY B (IRE) has been contesting small-field affairs over fences and seemed this all a bit much after 6 months off; chased leaders, shaken up thirteenth, lost place soon after, beaten approaching straight.

ROYAL LAKE (IRE) has a pointing background and should make a chaser but was undone by a mistake first time up after 6 months off; in rear, chance-ending mistake ninth, lost touch.