LUDLOW 16:10

All 6 ran. Fences: 19. Race Distance Adjustment: +90 yds

Time: 6m 21s Closing Sectional: (2.2f): 36.4s (95.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 101.8%

A couple of up-and-coming novices dominated their older rivals but even their clash proved more mismatch than match, the race Latitude's to lose from a fair way out as his main rival proved less well suited by the track for one thing.

LATITUDE (IRE) has some strong form in novice handicaps to his name but still took another clear step forward, a change in tactics appearing key; jumped superbly and went with zest as he disputed lead, went on ninth, quickened clear entering straight, reduced advantage briefly last, drew clear again flat, won readily; he'd be just as effective back at shorter ridden like this but is open to more improvement either way.

CONCETTO (FR) lost his unbeaten chasing record at the hands of another progressive novice but is well worth another chance, especially on a more galloping track than he's tackled so far (big, good-topped sort); disputed lead until ninth, pecked next, pushed along end of back straight, rallied from 3 out, not quicken flat; he remains potentially useful and is still qualified for lower-grade handicaps than this one.

TIDE TIMES (IRE) 11 lb higher than when winning this race in 2022 and with some weak form even in victory to his name in the meantime, couldn't live with a less-exposed pair after 7 weeks off, defeated at this track for only the second time in 5 visits; in touch, jumped left, ridden when hung left approaching straight, effort from 3 out, no further impression.

JOBESGREEN LAD whose stable has had only one winner since Christmas, was let down by his jumping; settled in rear out wide, not fluent from early on, some headway approaching home turn, effort proved short-lived, his stamina for the longer trip remaining unproven.

HEAD TO THE STARS merely underlined his inconsistency, the holes in his jumping more costly than those in his attitude this time; raced off the pace, made several mistakes, pushed along back straight, still struggling when blundered again 3 out.

FIRST FIGARO (GER) had defied a long absence to belatedly kick-start a 2021/22 campaign in which he'd seemed rejuvenated but looked and ran as though in need of the run this time round after another 12 months off, not that he shaped at all encouragingly; chased leaders early, lost ground gradually early final circuit, behind 5 out.