NEWBURY 15:00

All 6 ran. Hurdles: 12. Race Distance Adjustment: +82 yds

Time: 5m 59.9s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 57.4s (103.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.3%

The staying hurdle ranks are pretty threadbare at the moment, this sextet including the pick of the British-trained contenders, a pair of veterans fighting out the finish, the runner-up conceding 6 lb to the winner and emerging with plenty of credit; the leader was ignored and the pace overall was pretty steady until the straight.

DASHEL DRASHER stepped up significantly on his reappearance run without returning to his best of last season, this a typically gutsy effort; close second in main group, pushed along ninth, led after 3 out, ridden after, looked in control last, all out to hold on; he'll meet the runner-up on terms 6 lb worse were they to meet again in the Long Walk, though clearly he has a performance at Cheltenham in the spring which suggests he could confirm the placings.

PAISLEY PARK (IRE) the winner in 2019 and running in this race for the fifth time, ran a cracker after 9 months off, conceding 6 lb to the winner and showing form at least as good as last season; held up, ridden before 2 out, kept on well run-in, just failed; he followed a good second in last season's race with a win in the Long Walk (at Kempton) and is likely to have leading claims for a fourth win in that race.

FLIGHT DECK (IRE) faced a stiff task in this grade and continued his fine start for his new yard, showing no ill-effects for a tough race on his return and clearly sweetened up by the change of scenery, showing improved form; led main group, close up early final circuit, led home turn, headed after 3 out, held when mistake last; he faces a rise in the weights back in handicaps, this effort making him less easy to place.

MARIE'S ROCK (IRE) strong in the betting after 8 months off, held leading claims on her fine second in the Liverpool Hurdle but failed to reproduce that effort, too keen for her own good and having nothing to offer when she came off the bridle; patiently ridden, not settle fully, still going well when not fluent 3 out, shaken up next, made no impression; she is likely to be less fresh with a run under her belt, though it still wouldn't be a surprise to see her dropped back in trip, and she has options against just her own sex, so a return to form next time is more likely than not.

MAHONS GLORY (IRE) on first outing since leaving Dr Richard Newland and in first-time cheekpieces after 9 months off, was flying too high in this grade; broke fast, raced freely in clear lead, hung right, reduced advantage early final circuit, headed home turn, weakened soon after.

HUGOS NEW HORSE (FR) faced a stiff task in this grade but offered little again nonetheless; dropped out, not fluent third, labouring eighth, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out.