NEWCASTLE 16:50

All 9 ran.

Time: 1m 27.25s Closing Sectional: (3.00f): 38.28s (97.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.4%

An ordinary handicap for the grade, not many of these well-treated in the wider scheme, the winner merely taking advantage of a drop in the weights in workmanlike fashion, the fourth home the most interesting moving forward; the gallop was fair at best.

FREE CODE (IRE) took advantage of a return to 7f and further easing in the weights to gain first success since 2013, proving he retains all of his ability for this new yard in the process; mid-field, shaken up over 2f out, took a while to hit top gear but kept on well final 1f, leading final 50 yds; has already shown his vulnerability off marks in the high 80s/low 90s though, so not an obvious one to follow up.

GRISSOM (IRE) with a couple of runs under his belt, proved that he retains at least most of the near-useful ability he showed in 2014 despite his advancing years, albeit in a race run to suit; dictated pace, tackled over 1f out, responded well to see off initial challenger but no answer to winner's surge late on; wins-to-runs ratio doesn't inspire confidence, but he has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper (2 lb out of weights here), so should continue in form.

OBSIDIAN (USA) ran creditably on handicap debut, but the evidence is starting to mount that he's not as good this year as last, the further drop in trip not looking a problem here, which points to him being just averagely weighted; close up, effort around 2f out, every chance 1f out, one paced.

SIR ROBERT CHEVAL ridden by good-value claimer and back up to 7f, was again better than the bare result; in rear, making headway when messed around a bit by wandering rival over 1f out, finished well, never nearer, left poorly placed; should continue to give a good account, and may yet prove capable of defying a mark in the mid 90s.

DORNOCH (USA) didn't match up to the form he showed in a deeper handicap on debut for this yard, as with that effort failing to keep a straight line when maximum pressure was applied, the track no excuse this time either; close up, driven under 2f out, wandered soon after, kept on again final 1f when rider resorted to hands-and-heels ride; looks of just limited interest from a handicapping perspective as well.

STREET FORCE (USA) seemed lit up by the refitting of headgear, a more severe aid than usual to boot, and was again well below his fibresand form; held up, raced freely, weakened over 1f out; hasn't shown much on turf since 2013 so now has plenty to prove on this surface.

GEORGE CINQ was belatedly fitted with headgear other than a hood (first-time visor) but it didn't have the desired effect, finding even less when push came to shove than is often the case, his good run of form coming to a halt as a result; mid-field, travelled well to 2f out, soon beaten.

FLYMAN fared no better than on reappearance despite the change of headgear; mid-field, driven under 3f out, lost place soon after; too soon to be writing him off completely given the yard he's joined, but didn't show enough to suggest O'Meara will find the key to him in the near future.

LOVER MAN (IRE) failed in no uncertain terms to build on the promise of last time; held up, never a threat; it looks a case of back to the drawing board with him after this.