NEWBURY 15:35

Non Runners: FRIEND OR FOE (FR). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 50.5s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 57.6s (99.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 99.2%

Perhaps the top-end quality was down a shade but, that aside, there could be no overstating the strength of this year's Betfair, as a host of first- or second-season hurdlers arriving on the up came to the fore in a rock-solid renewal, a far cry from the messy affair of 12 months earlier; naturally, with a maximum field, not everything got the rub of the green, but the pace was relentless and none of the hard-luck stories were sufficient to think they'd have changed the identity of the winner, who was one of a quartet to dispute the lead running to the last before setting himself apart.

SOARING GLORY (IRE) became yet another novice to land this prestigious prize, proving his opening mark woefully inadequate with a fault-free performance after 10 weeks off, looking much more the horse he had in bumpers - and more the one who'd seen off old rival Bravemansgame at Chepstow on his hurdling bow as well - rather than the stalling novice he'd looked since, a strongly-run handicap the catalyst; settled in mid-division of a strung-out field, he made smooth headway from 3 out and quickened well to lead soon after last, asserting with a bit in hand inside the final 100 yds; he shortened for the Supreme after this, with such as Get Me Out of Here, My Tent Or Yours and Ballyandy having performed with credit in that after landing this, though he'll go there with a bigger gap to bridge than that trio and would be better served sticking to handicaps for the County instead.

FIFTY BALL (FR) met with his first handicap defeat but not without another jolt of improvement, as was required up 11 lb in a much higher grade, clearly razor sharp back from 12 weeks off and cutting through the pack from off the pace to lead briefly at the last, giving best to another novice on the run-in but not wilting himself despite edging left, nearly capping a dream weekend for his connections following Goshen's revival the previous day; he'll be a smart novice chaser if sent that way next season.

EDWARDSTONE belatedly proved he's in his element in this sort of environment (settled better for one), back with a bang the last twice since an abortive chasing bow, making a similar move to Fifty Ball from off the pace and getting alongside briefly on landing at the last, keeping on in vain thereafter, still lightly raced himself but not to the extent of the pair of novices ahead; he was carrying a penalty for Market Rasen but his reassessed mark is the same.

ANNUAL INVICTUS (IRE) had his winning run ended sent handicapping after 7 weeks off but not without enhancing his reputation, especially considering how well 2½m had seemed to serve him at Plumpton, predictably doing his best work late; mid-division, shuffled back 3 out, not quicken next, kept on well from last, just edged fourth.

BUZZ (FR) has been shaping up very well in handicaps all season, having to settle for a more minor finishing position this time but looking better than that, a blunder 4 out meaning he had to do plenty of running - in little time - to make his presence felt having been switched soon after the next, quickening down the outer to get into fourth at the last before that burst flattened out; he'll remain of interest in handicaps such as the County, including if his good-value conditional is allowed to keep the ride.

GUARD YOUR DREAMS was found out for speed ridden differently in such a hot 2m handicap but promises to get back on the up tried at further, looking a likely type for the mid-range handicap at Aintree given he'll struggle to sneak into the weights at Cheltenham; in rear, outpaced from early final circuit, off pace still 2 out, finished well.

MISTER COFFEY (FR) failed to improve despite stepping away from bottomless ground after 12 weeks off, perhaps not applying himself as required for company this demanding; settled in rear on inner, still plenty to do 3 out, ridden next, switched between last 2 but also seemed to be edging right on his own steam and carried head bit awkwardly, no further impression.

SHAKEM UP'ARRY (IRE) hadn't been done any favours by the handicapper (reassessed for Tolworth second) and, as in his first handicap, came up short, unable to adopt his usual prominent position; raced off the pace, uncomfortable with pace, not quicken 2 out, late headway when race already done and dusted.

THYME WHITE (FR) put his spill at the track in the autumn behind him 3 months on, promising even more for a long way on his first full start outside his own age group; mid-division, smooth headway 2 out, every chance approaching last (touched 2.40 in-running on Betfair), effort flattened out; one to keep on right side, including for chasing next season.

ON TO VICTORY wasn't seen to best effect pitched in much deeper after 7 weeks off, yet to get near his lofty Flat form but giving more hope on that score here, clearly potentially well treated judged against his merit in that sphere; mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, not fluent next, shuffled back, held after.

MILKWOOD (IRE) shaped as if back from 3 months off still at the top of his game, lack of peak fitness appearing to catch him out after he'd made a similar move to a couple of the principals; patiently ridden, smooth headway after 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, in contention approaching last, not sustain effort.

CADZAND (IRE) failed to justify his market position in his hat-trick bid after 8 weeks off, a rare blip on the weekend for his yard, unable to make the headway several managed from rear but, in mitigation, asked to come around the field to do so, all under less testing conditions than he'd faced for his 2 wins; waited with, steady headway out wide after 3 out, threatened briefly, held last; there's a chance he's something of a bridle horse who struggles to sustain a turn of foot.

GLORY AND FORTUNE (IRE) wasn't slick enough tried tongue tied after 3 months off (had breathing operation during break), his brief and unsuccessful spell chasing perhaps leaving a mark; led main group, jumped sketchily, ridden before 2 out, brushed aside.

FOR PLEASURE (IRE) found his usual tactics vastly harder to execute in a totally different environment after 3 months off, running himself out; forced pace, joined 2 out, hung left, no extra.

NIGHT EDITION (FR) never landed a blow up in grade after a further 10 weeks off.

BALLINSKER (IRE) hasn't gone on from reappearance; settled mid-field out wide, lost ground before 3 out, left behind after.

LIGHTLY SQUEEZE wasn't so luckless as in this race in 2020 but still shaped better than the result, making his move a little earlier than ideal; mid-division, went prominent soon after 3 out, led briefly on landing 2 out, weakened.

HIGHWAY ONE O TWO (IRE) is difficult to assess at present, reverting to his usual tactics perhaps not ideal with the pace so strong but, equally, not giving him a free pass, either; raced in clear third, lost place when driven after 3 out, well held next.

FRED (FR) is on a stiff mark and, having gone with little fluency, was always behind straight back over hurdles after 4 months off.

MACK THE MAN (IRE) had it much tougher under a penalty in a far deeper race, not that he showed his form in any case; in rear, lost touch from 4 out.

GUMBALL (FR) ran poorly back over hurdles after 8 weeks off, not putting up much of a fight by his usual standards, one of several returning from chasing in such a hot handicap who seemed caught cold; prominent main group, ridden before 3 out, brushed aside.

GALICE MACALO (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade of handicap compared to at Sandown 2 starts earlier, compounded by an overly-aggressive ride trying to keep pace with For Pleasure; chased leader, shaken up after 3 out, weakened.

WILD MAX (GER) took off too far from the first and crashed out.