NEWBURY 15:15

Non Runners: BRENTFORD HOPE, LUCCIA, UNDER CONTROL (FR), TELLHERTHENAME (IRE). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 55.9s Closing Sectional: (4.05f): 59.1s (99.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 136%, Betfair SP 104.9%

Even with a quartet of non-runners this was still a bumper field - the biggest in nearly 20 years - for the most eagerly anticipated handicap hurdle away from the major spring Festivals, loaded with hurdlers who've already had a productive campaign, some of them, including a front pair who'd returned in a strong Greatwood, lightly-raced types with more to offer; unlike last year, when an inability to water resulted in firm ground and a record-breaking time, it proved a far more level playing field tactically under contrasting conditions, though it was still striking to see the winner pass as many he did in a style that probably said as much about Iberico Lord's ability as it did a just-in-time ride.

IBERICO LORD (FR) gave his trainer his sixth Betfair in all and first since My Tent Or Yours had obliterated his field in the same silks in 2013, Iberico Lord some way removed from the level of form that top-class speedball mustered then (from BHA mark 15 lb higher) and indeed subsequently but no forlorn hope at all to find himself holding his own in graded hurdles in time, perhaps before an ambitious bid at the Morebattle/Cheltenham Festival bonus double; the way he took care of a trademark deep field was certainly out of the ordinary, still to be put in the race whilst still going well 3 out (thirteen ahead of him at that point) but picking his way past rivals on the inner from the next and managing to not only claw back the 3-length deficit held by the runner-up at the last but also add another couple on striking the front halfway up the run-in, a margin that almost certainly undersold his dominance and will likely help keep the handicapper at bay for another couple of runs yet.

L'EAU DU SUD (FR) did something far nearer to what Timeform felt might have been forthcoming in the Greatwood (also won by Iberico Lord) having been given another 11 weeks off since that blowout, coasting around the field under a measured ride and briefly looking to have quickened away decisively after hitting the front still going strongly 2 out only to be collared by a potential graded-class hurdler, doing nothing at all wrong as he extended his lead over the pack; he looks a classic Skelton-trained youngster who'll surpass even this level of form once chasing, though there are other good handicap hurdles for him before then, even if a reassessed mark in the low-130s will likely make participation in one at Cheltenham at best touch and go.

GO DANTE is doing plenty to fulfil his potential this season, given another 2 months off since Cheltenham and making a big impact again in the most valuable handicap hurdle in Britain for all he was probably fortunate to uphold placings with Doddiethegreat; in touch, took closer order approaching straight, closing when not fluent 3 out, close up still next, kept on.

DODDIETHEGREAT (IRE) is shaping up extremely well considering the length of his pre-season absence, thrust into an ever hotter handicap and likely to have reversed Cheltenham placings with Go Dante under different circumstances, coming from a long way back and also looking as though a return to further will benefit him no end; soon steadied, still plenty to do entering straight, effort when not clear run between last 2, best work finish; he remains of plenty of interest.

FAIVOIR (FR) ran well for the second time in his last 3 starts, another bid at the County Hurdle presumably his priority (ridden by inexperienced amateur); settled in touch, yet to be asked for effort when short of room between 3 out and 2 out, not quicken last, rallied gradually.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (IRE) shaped better than in the Greatwood given more of a break, dominating a field this size no easy task for all Aucunrisque had made all under freakishly dry conditions in 2023; led until before 2 out, left behind gradually.

OUR CHAMP (IRE) was back in better form tried tongue tied following a breathing operation after 6 weeks off, the company just a little too hot to see him get even closer; tracked pace, upsides when untidy 2 out, not quicken.

OCASTLE DES MOTTES (FR) failed to live up to his billing making his first start outside France (signed off for Gabriel Leenders with win in early-summer) from a 6 lb lower mark than he'd been alloted in Ireland, though it would be unwise to overlook him next time all the same given the backdrop of his lengthy reshodding that delayed the start for so long; mid-division, crept closer 3 out, threatened briefly next, no further impression, not unduly punished; he was tongue tied in his homeland.

MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE (IRE) wasn't up to this better company; pressed leader, hit fourth, outpaced straight.

KAMSINAS (FR) was asked a big question thrust into a race this hot for his first handicap but had shaped encouragingly by the end, at least with a view to stepping up in distance; raced off the pace, outpaced end of back straight, behind still 2 out, ran on late.

DONNACHA (IRE) up in grade, probably remains in form; tracked pace, outpaced from 3 out, needs the emphasis more on stamina.

NORMAN FLETCHER wasn't up to the task sent handicapping in one of the strongest ones run all season; held up, pushed along from 3 out, plugged on, made little impression.

JILAIJONE (FR) has already come up short in lesser handicaps this this but at least shaped better away from gruelling Sandown after 9 weeks off; dropped out, still plenty to do entering straight, pushed along from 3 out, made little impression.

ALTOBELLI (IRE) failed to justify support after 7 weeks off, not in the same form as at Ascot earlier in the campaign; held up, shaken up straight, made no impression.

SPIRIT D'AUNOU (FR) is better than this, just not firing 9 weeks on from his Sandown rout; held up, shaken up home turn, no response from 3 out.

LOOKAWAY (IRE) turned in his first poor effort in ages, adding weight to the theory the Challow here had been a punishing race; close up until early in straight, lost place when not fluent 3 out, no response.

YORKSEA (IRE) consented to set off but needn't have bothered, out of his depth and still unenthusiastic as he was.

ONLYAMATTEROFTIME (IRE) is proving expensive to follow; close up, not settle fully, outpaced approaching straight, left behind.

AURIGNY MILL (FR) had his winning run ended up 9 lb in a far more competitive handicap; waited with, crept closer from 4 out, effort next, not sustain effort.

ITO DITTO (FR) is best excused this, appearing to have run his race beforehand as he got into a state, soon behind instead of prominent and clearly not himself from a long way out.

ALVANIY (IRE) wasn't looking likely to make any impact even before going wrong returning from 3 months off without a hood; soon steadied, flattened 4 out, lost action approaching straight and pulled up.