NEWBURY 15:35

Non Runners: HACKER DES PLACES (FR), DEERE MARK. Hurdles: 8. Race Distance Adjustment: +23 yds

Time: 3m 41.3s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 55.4s (98.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 121%, Betfair SP 103.7%

Even with a couple taken out between declaration and the start this still fulfilled its usual status as one of the most competitive-looking handicap line-ups of the season, though conditions were far less testing than normal - the course was prevented from watering in the lead-up - which accentuated the not-unfamiliar scenario of a contested pace failing to materialise despite the field size, putting the well-in winner at an advantage as he made all at the chief expense of a favourite who did everything he could under a waiting ride as most held up made no impression at all, a time at least 8 seconds faster than for any other edition this century painting an accurate picture of the extreme emphasis on speed relative to normal.

AUCUNRISQUE (FR) capitalised on a hurdles mark unaffected by his progress over fences previously this season, going the right way generally in all likelihood given he's hardly built to be a vastly better chaser, though his outstanding attitude has already got him to a high level in that sphere and, aided by the right ride under conditions that tested speed to the full, displayed all his battling qualities to fend off a favourite who'd likely reverse form another day; soon going with bags of zip in front, he produced another slick leap when asked to press on 3 out and, after taking the next more fluently than the closing second, was always doing enough on the flat to maintain his advantage; his Cheltenham target is set to be back in a chase (Grand Annual), echoing the campaigning of The Shunter for the runner-up's connections a couple of Festivals ago.

FILEY BAY (IRE) cemented his status as one of the most progressive handicap hurdlers in training up in grade after another 9 lb rise by beating all bar a well-in toughie who was seen to better effect tactically, presumably put away for this since Wincanton and unlucky not to justify the decision in full by bringing up the hat-trick; waited with, he blundered at the fourth and, having still been on the bridle as he closed in from the home turn, had got the gap right down to under a length when all wrong at the second last, regaining his momentum after edging right early on the run-in but finding the line coming too soon; he'll go up enough to guarantee himself a spot in the County but almost certainly not enough to reach a mark that sums him up, making him top of the shortlist for that race at this stage, especially as the new rule demanding a minimum of 4 runs before participation in such handicaps ought to lower the threat of an unknown quantity in the mould of State Man making a mockery of their mark.

TEDDY BLUE (GER) had picked up an unhelpful 5-lb penalty for his Lingfield penalty kick but it probably cost him a couple of lengths or so at most rather than any positions with a handy conditional claiming the same amount, emerging with credit in finishing best of the rest after settling better in a well-run race in a bigger field; tracked pace, jumped left, settled better than usual, second when untidy 3 out, awkward next, hung left, held flat; he does have an ungainly air to him, however, and is just as likely to harm his chance next time by pulling hard.

YORKSEA (IRE) ran a stormer on the book as it was upped in grade but did plenty more atop, doing extremely well to pass as many as he did from such a hopeless position tactically; dropped out, still in rear with only tailed-off Faivoir and labouring Icare Allen behind when untidy 3 out but made good progress latter stages that carried him into fourth near finish, finishing with running left; he's able to get in any number of much lesser handicaps than this.

MONVIEL (IRE) picked the wrong race for a contrasting ride to when making all at Ascot in the autumn, his late headway evidence he's returned from his break still in good form; settled in rear, outpaced end of back straight, struggling still 3 out, best work finish to reach frame, things having happened too quickly for him (ready for return to further).

MASTER CHEWY (IRE) shaped well in his bid to become the first Rules maiden - and another youngster from the yard - to land this prestigious prize; patiently ridden, still plenty to do after 4 out, smooth headway on inner next, no further impression, caught further back than ideal; he's another who shouldn't have much trouble landing something weaker.

HIGHWAY ONE O TWO (IRE) wasn't up to the task above all in a race dominated by a less-exposed stablemate executing the tactics that have served Highway One O Two so well over the years, including when defying an 8 lb lower mark at Ascot as recently as October; handy, slow second, shaken up entering straight, left behind gradually.

TRITONIC shaped better than on his return tried in cheekpieces, not that he went as though close to winning another of these even back to the mark from which he was successful in Ascot's Betfair Exchange last winter; patiently ridden, shaken up straight, little impression, not ideally placed.

NO ORDINARY JOE (IRE) remains in good form, shaping much better than the bare result, though a weakish finish served to remind of his apparent lack of robustness; tracked pace, travelled better than most, in contention still 3 out, shaken up before next, found less than looked likely.

RUBAUD (FR) was too lit up to give himself a chance in such a hot race for his handicap bow, more patient tactics rather backfiring; in touch, took strong hold, switched 3 out, effort out wide briefly, not sustain effort.

ONEMOREFORTHEROAD turned in an unusually lacklustre display after 12 weeks off, adding to a stuttering season for a yard that's found winners a struggle generally; ridden more patiently, settled in rear, outpaced quickly end of back straight, made no impression.

RESTITUTION (FR) would have avoided a penalty in most handicaps had he been found suitable one in the immediate aftermath of Doncaster but, absent 6 weeks since, was well and truly undone by an 11 lb rise in the weights in much hotter company; mid-division, lost place entering straight, beaten when awkward 2 out.

GLORY AND FORTUNE (IRE) was never fully involved in his bid to follow up last year's win back hurdling from a 5 lb higher mark, a brief stint chasing in late-2022 perhaps taking the edge off him; in rear, some headway forced wide home turn, effort proved short-lived.

ICARE ALLEN (FR) failed to repeat his reappearance effort another 9 weeks on, this a stronger handicap from an inflated BHA mark, though far less testing conditions were possibly against him as well; raced off the pace, went with little fluency, labouring before straight.

GLORIOUS ZOFF (IRE) who had run poorly on the Flat recently, ultimately fared no better with a hood removed back hurdling in a handicap beyond his level; in touch out very wide, pressed leader from 4 out, lost ground home turn, soon beaten.

FAIVOIR (FR) went backwards from his reappearance around Christmas retried in headgear, likely having too many miles on the clock for handicaps this competitive even when on song; dropped out, never going well from fourth, lost touch quickly, looked none too keen.