NEWCASTLE 15:10

All 20 ran.

Time: 3m 27.59s

Overrounds: Industry SP 134%, Betfair SP 99.1%

A Heritage Handicap that was run in stark contrast to the consolation event earlier on the card, the gallop honest from the outset and they were soon well strung out, though unlike many high-end events at this trip these days it did include a few unexposed stayers and one of them made a bid for home before being picked off by the better-than-ever Onesmoothoperator and a last-time-out winner, the former finally providing his locally-born trainer with success in this race after 2 decades of trying; as can be the case on the round course here it developed towards the stand rail, Forza Orta faring best of those who challenged on the inner.

ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) whose Southwell second from 8 weeks earlier has worked out, hails from a stable that is going well and confirmed that promise in spades returned to a stiffer track, the stronger gallop suiting him, too, bagging a second major handicap at this track within the space of 7 months (third C&D success), getting the stand rail just as he had in the November Handicap and producing a career best; waited with, denied a run briefly 3f out, switched soon after, headway on bridle 2f out, produced to lead 1f out, driven clear; this performance means he should get into other high-end events such as the Ebor but it bears repeating that he's a maiden on turf.

EVALUATION has made a generally positive start for current yard and shaped well after 9 weeks off; patiently ridden, met some trouble under 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on, no impression on winner; still eligible for lower grades and will remain of plenty of interest.

DUKE OF OXFORD is a very likeable sort who's has thrived on all-weather of late and ran well returned to synthetics after 7 weeks off; taken wide, mid-field, headway to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, one paced; undoubtedly capable of winning more races, though does have to prove himself on turf.

TOO FRIENDLY back in headgear, is going through a good spell at the moment and proved his effectiveness at a well-run 2m; mid-division, travelled smoothly, going well when had to wait for gap under 3f out, switched soon after, effort under 2f out, not quicken final 1f.

TRUE LEGEND (IRE) ran creditably upped in trip which opens up new options; blindfold removed late, in rear, settled better, headway when carried left 2f out, kept on.

FORZA ORTA (IRE) shaped almost identically to last time, a well-run race at this trip stretching him, though is probably worth marking up a little having challenged on the opposite flank to the principals; raced well off the pace, switched after 1f, switched again end of back straight, driven early in straight, good headway on inner 2f out, no extra final 1f; eligible for lesser events and there should be races in him this season, probably at up to 2m.

SPARTAN ARMY (IRE) back on all-weather after 10 weeks off, attracted support and deserves credit for consistency; went prominent early, settled mid-field, driven 3f out, threatened 2f out, faded.

GRAND PROVIDENCE wasn't seen to best effect after 7 weeks off, a patient ride at this trip of no use to her; mid-division, ridden early in straight, plugged on from 2f out, made no impression; she's got unfinished business at distances in excess of 2m and could be one for the marathon event at the Goodwood Festival, a close second on her only start there after all.

SPIRIT MIXER runner-up in this race in 2022, backed up previous effort despite being caught well away from the heart of the action; raced off the pace, headway under pressure over 2f out, short of room under 2f out, plugged on.

ZOFFEE had beaten a few of these in the Cheser Cup 7 weeks earlier and is better judged on that run; in touch, no room early in straight, ridden when badly hampered over 2f out, no chance after (not persevered with).

YASHIN (IRE) seemed to have plenty going for him returned to a big-field handicap considering the way he'd shaped when last seen 6 weeks earlier but underperformed, hard to solely blame the longer trip having suggested he'd stay this far in last year's Ebor; slowly into stride, mid-field, driven 3f out, brief headway on inner 2f out, weakened gradually.

TROOPER BISDEE (IRE) strong in the betting under a penalty, had winning run ended in a much more competitive event (previously 6-9 in handicaps) but wasn't seen to best effect turned out again quickly; slowly into stride, raced wide, mid-division, rapid headway after 3f, ridden under 3f out, weakened under 2f out, did too much too soon; well worth another chance.

RATHGAR just out of the handicap, didn't get home on first attempt at 2m; close up, ridden under 3f out, weakened from 2f out; type to bounce back quickly when returned to his pay grade/a shorter trip.

GOLDEN FLAME (IRE) probably needed the run on first outing since leaving Charlie & Mark Johnston (sold 8,000 gns, then gelded) after 20 months off; prominent, took strong hold, driven over 2f out, weakening when short of room approaching final 1f, carried head bit awkwardly; next run should reveal more.

HOWTH (IRE) is totally unexposed at this trip but was too free after 3 months off; mid-field, headway to lead approaching back straight, headed over 2f out, dropped away under 2f out.

ARTISAN DANCER (FR) faced a stiff task from 3 lb out of the handicap; mid-division, driven over 2f out, labouring soon after.

SOLENT GATEWAY (IRE) followed a good run - which had since been franked by the winner - with a shocking one; led until approaching back straight, remained prominent, driven early in straight, dropped away over 1f out.

ISLAND BRAVE (IRE) found this too competitive; mid-field, struggling entering straight.

TASHKHAN (IRE) has previously gone well fresh but produced a laboured effort after 8 months off; close up, off the bridle before most, weakening when hampered over 2f out, eased off.

ZEALANDIA (FR) after 7 weeks off, could hardly have shown any less; mid-field, raced indolently, tailed off end of back straight.