NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:40

Non Runners: ZZORO (IRE), ISOMER (USA), BEDOUIN'S STORY, TORCELLO (IRE), MORDRED (IRE).

Time: 1m 46.99s Closing Sectional: (3.00f): 36.70s (97.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 142%, Betfair SP 101.1%

A Cambridgeshire with a slightly different shape to recent renewals, a BHA mark in the low 80s good enough to get a run - 10 lb lower than the 2018 edition - resulting in a healthy sprinkling of 3-y-os in the line up, one of that age group successful, John Gosden unleashing a pattern-class performer in the making for the second year in a row, Lord North not quite at the same level as Wissahickon was 12 months ago, but still hugely impressive with the way he dispatched his rivals, brushing aside the consistent runner-up, the pair clear, whilst further substance is provided by the last-time-out winner in third and last year's runner-up in fourth; the field initially split into 2 groups before they merged around halfway, those drawn 1-18 racing towards the centre of the track with stalls 19-34 coming near side, little apparent bias for all that the latter group provided 4 of the first 5 home, and typically for this race the gallop was sound.

LORD NORTH (IRE) with Dettori on board for the first time, became the fifth winner of this prestigious handicap for John Gosden and the fourth 3-y-o, and as with his trainer's previous winners from this age group he left the firm impression this success is just a springboard for greater things next year, continuing his progression in no uncertain terms and justifying significant market confidence; waited with in near-side group, travelled well, rapid headway under 2f out, produced to lead final 100 yds and gearing down from that point, value for considerably more than the bare winning margin; the manner of this success marks him out as a very smart prospect at 4 yrs, where he'll be one to follow as he continues to climb the ranks.

BERINGER partnered by good-value claimer for the first time this year, proved better than ever after 5 weeks off, placed for the second time in a top-end handicap this season and losing no caste in defeat against one destined for bigger things; raced centre, prominent, travelled smoothly, led 3f out, went clear over 1f out, closed down final 1f, headed final 100 yds, no match for winner but pulled clear of remainder.

GOOD BIRTHDAY (IRE) had no problem with this far more competitive environment than last time, again running well and doing enough to suggest this revised mark won't prove beyond him another day, sure to have got closer to the runner-up had the gaps come sooner; waited with, had to wait for gap over 2f out, had to weave way through soon after, headway when switched 1f out, kept on; again showed none of the quirks that marred some earlier efforts, perhaps just more the finished article now, and will remain of interest.

MORDIN (IRE) ran creditably to make the frame in this race for the second year in succession, just with little room to manoeuvre from a mark in the mid 100s, which limits him to high-end handicaps, even with the aid of a promising 7 lb claimer; close up, travelled better than most, every chance under 2f out, effort soon after, left behind final 1f.

MAJESTIC DAWN (IRE) after 11 weeks off, ran creditably under what are becoming typically aggressive tactics; quickly across from middling draw to lead near-side group, headed 3f out, stuck to task; there's still an air of unfinished business about him handicaps, his sights set high so far whilst this was his first time taking on his elders, and he'll certainly be high on the shortlist if taking a slight drop in grade.

DARK VISION (IRE) in a change of headgear (first-time visor), settled better than last time and again ran respectably, but just isn't well enough handicapped to make a major impact in this type of race; slowly into stride, raced off the pace, steady headway from 3f out.

JAZEEL (IRE) after 5 weeks off, again shaped better than the bare result and remains in good form; in rear, worked his way towards near-side rail around halfway, shaken up over 3f out, had to pick way through, finished with running left, nearest at the finish, left poorly placed.

FIFTH POSITION (IRE) making handicap debut after 8 weeks off, having been quite ambitiously campaigned since breaking his duck, but proved slightly disappointing, especially as he's already proven over further; mid-field, headway under pressure around 2f out, effort flattened out; it's still early days with him so there could yet be more to come, perhaps next year when he fills his frame (tall, unfurnished gelding).

ALTERNATIVE FACT back up in trip, wasn't totally disgraced after 8 weeks off; mid-division, shaken up 4f out, edged left under 2f out, one paced; remains without a win in handicap company but is at least starting to edge down the weights.

BADENSCOTH back down to a more suitable trip, wasn't disgraced after 7 weeks off, one of the better efforts from those who came up the centre; mid-division, headway around 2f out, effort flattened out.

YOU'RE HIRED after just 7 days off, did enough to suggest he probably remains in form, in the firing line for a long way until no extra inside the final 1f; he needs some respite from the assessor, though.

NICHOLAS T arrived at the top of his game but, after just 7 days off, wasn't in the same form as for recent efforts; mid-field, shaken up 4f out, one paced; type to bounce back quickly.

AL JELLABY is probably slightly better on all-weather and, back on turf/claimer ridden, found run of good form coming to a halt; led group, headed 3f out, weakened final 1f.

BALTIC BARON (IRE) is better judged on previous form, on the back foot after a tardy start; dwelt, in rear, merely passed beaten horses, left poorly placed.

DUBAI HORIZON (IRE) back in headgear after 12 months off, underperformed; mid-division, ridden over 3f out, not quicken; has work to do from this sort of mark in any case.

HISTORY WRITER (IRE) after 5 weeks off, again ran below form and seems to have gone off the boil; prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final 1f.

LE DON DE VIE arrived on the up but failed to meet expectations, this big field possibly a bit of a culture shock; handy, lost place halfway, one paced; not one to write off.

AFAAK was below form after 8 weeks off and it looks as if this season is following a similar pattern to last year; mid-division, ridden 3f out, not quicken.

PETRUS (IRE) after 5 weeks off, again ran below form and might have had enough for the season, on the go since the opening weekend of the turf campaign after all; mid-division, labouring 3f out, soon beaten.

KORCHO back down in trip, contrary to previous impressions, after 8 weeks off, but wasn't seen to best effect anyway; handy, shuffled back soon after halfway, short of room over 1f out, not recover, not persevered with once held.

COCKALORUM (IRE) after 5 weeks off, underperformed with rider putting up 2 lb overweight; raced centre, in rear, never landed a blow.

SMILE A MILE (IRE) turned out quite quickly after shaping as if amiss and again finished well held, beaten well before the longer trip became an issue; mid-division, struggling soon after halfway, never a threat.

ZHUI FENG (IRE) ran poorly, his record this season one of fits and spurts; close up, dropped away from 2f out.

QUEEN OF TIME back in handicap company, followed a good run with a below-par one; mid-division, driven 4f out, not quicken.

MULLIGATAWNY (IRE) continues out of sorts; in touch, pushed along halfway, beaten long way out.

ANOTHER TOUCH after just 7 days off, failed to build on the promise of last run in no uncertain terms; mid-division, struggling halfway, soon beaten.

MUSIC SEEKER (IRE) was well held; prominent, ridden halfway, dropped away.

LITTLE JO might have needed the run after 11 months off; mid-division, headway 4f out, weakened from 2f out; should strip fitter with this under his belt, and next start will reveal more.

FAJJAJ (IRE) ran no sort of race in first-time tongue strap after 5 months off; always behind.

CHANCE was well held after 5 weeks off; mid-division, weakening when short of room under 3f out.