NEWBURY 15:05

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +47 yds

Time: 5m 13.2s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 56.8s (107.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 101.5%

A good-looking field for what looked a well-up-to-scratch renewal of a Grade 1 won in the last 3 seasons by Champ, Thmye Hill and Bravemansgame, even though 6 of the 7 were having their first run in graded company, plenty of promise having been shown from limited tries, none more so than by the winner, who looked very much in the mould of his successful stable companion from last season as he scored in decisive fashion; the pace was fair, the race developing in the straight.

STAGE STAR (IRE) took the step up in class in his stride, already very polished in the way he does things, clearly one of the most promising novices seen in Britain this winter, up there with Jonbon, who won here on the same card as him last time; in touch, jumped fluently, travelled well, led 2 out, in command soon after, kept on well run-in, had bit in hand; will go on improving and likely to be a major player in the top races in the spring.

WEST BALBOA (IRE) up in grade, was much improved from hurdling debut, sticking to her task well, having conceded first run to the winner, well up to winning at graded level, with the Jane Seymour at Sandown an obvious option for her; held up, travelled well, shaken up 3 out, chased leader after 2 out, kept on, no impression on winner.

GRINGO D'AUBRELLE (FR) upped in trip and grade, continued the very promising start to his hurdling career, just not quite good enough in the end, plenty about him physically and every chance this isn't the limit of his potential; in touch, effort straight, not quicken 2 out, disputed second last, no extra run-in.

GO DANTE upped markedly in trip, showed improved form up in grade, though he still looks a big baby, immature in the preliminaries and doing plenty wrong in the race itself; in rear, not always fluent, not settle fully, reminders (ran green) after third, shaken up 3 out, hampered next, made no impression; he looks more a chaser than hurdler and his potential is mainly long term.

LOSSIEMOUTH was the one runner with experience at graded level, his form in winning at Sandown the best in the race, but he proved a disappointment, a sloppy round of hurdling one factor in his below-par effort; tracked pace, not always fluent, pushed along before 3 out, edged right, weakened 2 out.

HIGH STAKES (IRE) up in grade, would have shown some improvement on his debut effort had he not crashed out at the last, perhaps going to finish around where the fourth did; led until 2 out, not quicken, fading in fourth when fell heavily last.

PARTY BUSINESS (IRE) up in grade, was running really well when he departed, looking likely to finish third at worst; held up, good progress 3 out, close up when fell next; open to further improvement.