NEWBURY 17:45

Non Runners: KING CARNEY.

Time: 1m 36.52s Closing Sectional: (4f): 46.3s (104.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 100.6%

A useful handicap but one in which the favourite flopped and the gallop was nothing special, placing those ridden handily at an advantage, so it's unlilely to prove strong form for the level, the strong-travelling Imrahor of most interest for the weeks ahead.

BEAR FORCE ONE showed the benefit of a couple of recent outings, bouncing back to his best to take advantage of a slipping mark (same as for last win); disputed lead, shaken up around 2f out, edged left, carried head a bit high but led final 100 yds; well placed the way this developed and has already shown his vulnerability off marks in the mid 90s, though.

ITKAANN (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, was upped in grade but again ran well, breaking on terms this time and ridden more prominently; handy, upsides under 2f out, headed final 100 yds; better placed than most, but this still adds weight to the idea he can defy this sort of mark at some point before the season is out.

IMRAHOR strong in betting for handicap debut and shaped well after 9 months off, despite leaving the impression this may just bring him on a bit; led, travelled as well as any, ridden over 1f out, headed final 1f, no extra; went the wrong way after a promising start at 3 yrs, but looked more straightforward for having been gelded and is one to be interested in again.

TURN ON THE CHARM (FR) after 8 weeks off, ran well, helped by settling better than has been the case; mid-field, travelled fluently, shaken up around 2f out, headway 1f out, kept on.

AFAAK shaped as if retaining most of his ability after 11 months off; handy, ridden over 2f out, ran on, well positioned; proved his and miss last season, but is down to a good mark if he can build on this.

POWER OF DARKNESS in a deeper race than last time but shaped as if still in good form, his customary hold-up tactics not showing him to good effect; in rear, late headway, left poorly placed.

KING OTTOKAR (FR) after 3 months off, is better when the mud is flying and underperformed; in rear, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, one paced; this should serve the purpose of teeing him up for an autumn campaign, though, and he's lurking on a handy mark.

CHANCE has gone well fresh in the past but might have needed the run after 7 months off, also ending up away from where the main action unfolded, so is best not judged too harshly on this; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, faded.

YOU'RE HIRED has little in hand from present mark following Bath win, but he underperformed in any case; mid-field, pushed along under 3f out, never a threat.

PERCY'S LAD gelded since last seen 4 months ago but fared no better, running poorly; steadied at the start, mid-division, raced freely, driven over 2f out, faded; has something to prove at present.

TROLL PENINSULA (USA) strong in the betting, having been handed an opening mark that looked generous based on his all-weather exploits, but it presumably hasn't all been plain sailing with him this year (off 5 months) and he proved to be a bitter disappointment; dwelt, waited with, shaken up over 2f out, not quicken.