NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:40

Non Runners: YOU'RE HIRED, DATA PROTECTION, BREATH CAUGHT, MAJESTIC DAWN (IRE), PLANTADREAM, RAISE YOU (IRE), HARTSWOOD, DANCE JUPITER (IRE), SPIRIT DANCER, EPIC ENDEAVOUR (IRE), GLENTANEOUS (IRE).

Time: 1m 49.57s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.45s (100.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 131%, Betfair SP 106%

A raft of non-runners resulted in a slightly smaller field than usual for this historic handicap, but it still looks typically solid form, acknowledging there was a slight draw bias - those drawn 2-17 raced far side and were at a disadvantage - 3 of the first 6 places filled by the handful of 3-y-os that made the line up, whilst the third home is a low-mileage 4-y-o, the quirky winner finally finding everything clicking.

BEDOUIN'S STORY proved at least as good as ever to gain a first win in this country for over a year, decidedly smart on his day and coming from a long way back, though there was probably a conditional element to this display, the big field and straight track scenario bringing out the best in him, Spencer a good fit for him as well; slowly into stride, raced near side, in rear, had to weave way through from 2f out, led final 100 yds; will be worth aiming at some of the valuable 7f/1m back-end handicaps at Ascot, those races also likely to play to his strengths.

ANMAAT (IRE) had only contested small-field events since switched to handicaps, winning a couple, but took this change of environment in this stride, improving again and going like one who is still ahead of his mark for a long way; mid-field, travelled as well as any, headway 3f out, produced to lead around 1f out, headed final 100 yds; boasts an appealing profile for these high-end handicaps, a strong traveller who is still on the up, and will be high on the shortlist next time as well.

AMETIST got back on the up after a couple of down-the-field efforts that hadn't shown him to best effect, the first-time cheekpieces and longer trip both seeming to suit; dwelt, mid-field, kept on well from 2f out; he's not really bred for it but is worth a try at 1¼m on this evidence.

ZOZIMUS (IRE) possibly just needed a couple of runs to regain his sharpness after a summer break and ran well, matching the level of his early-season efforts and shaping better than the distance beaten suggests too, first home in his group; mid-field, kept on well against far rail from over 1f out, nearest finish.

FASTNET CROWN (IRE) again ran well, arguably deserving some extra credit too, in the unfavoured far-side group for most of the way and then ending up on his own up the centre of the track for the final 1f or so; raced far side, in rear, headway 2f out, kept on; he's been well served by the recent return to longer trips.

UNCLE BRYN under a penalty, failed to find the requisite improvement in a much deeper race than last time, but still emerges with a fair bit of credit, in the firing line for a long way; prominent in near-side group, led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra; still low mileage and could have more to offer, either this back-end or as a 4-y-o, his physique (big, long-backed gelding) that of one who should get better with age.

MARIE'S DIAMOND (IRE) isn't well enough handicapped to be a major force in races as competitive as this but, after just 7 days off, again ran creditably, in a race that didn't show him to maximum effect either; raced far side, prominent and still led group inside final 1f, no extra final 100 yds.

LONG TRADITION (IRE) thrown in at the deep end for handicap debut and ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces after 9 weeks off; raced near side, led group, headed over 2f out, forced to switch over 1f out, ran on; the form of his last couple of starts has worked out well and he remains with potential.

NAVAL COMMANDER wasn't disgraced in first-time cheekpieces, but is already exposed and not well enough treated for races of this type; mid-division, ridden 3f out, one paced.

JEAN BAPTISTE (IRE) claimer ridden back down in trip, wasn't disgraced, doing a lot of the donkey work in the unfavoured far side group and a spent force when headed 2f out; he doesn't have much in hand of his mark, but is well suited by ground softer than good, which should help in the closing weeks of the turf season.

LUCANDER (IRE) finished second in this race last year off just a 1 lb lower mark and had looked to be coming to the boil at York last month, but underperformed without any obvious excuses; raced near side, mid-field, driven 3f out, not quicken.

ROPEY GUEST in a change of headgear (first-time visor), had plenty on his plate under a penalty for winning a much weaker race earlier in the month and ran about as well as could be expected; raced near side, prominent, shaken up over 2f out, faded.

GOOD BIRTHDAY (IRE) didn't go with his usual zest but is just about better judged on previous form, not helped by racing on the far side; mid-field, pushed along under 3f out, one paced, not ideally placed.

ANYTHINGTODAY (IRE) lost his unbeaten record for new yard, below form in the process, even allowing for where he raced; in touch on far side, shaken up 3f out, edged left over 1f out, faded.

IRISH ADMIRAL (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, though a 4 lb rise for beating some exposed older horses probably left him with little room for manoeuvre anyway; raced far side, prominent, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened.

ROYAL MARINE (IRE) not seen since 3 mid-field finishes at a variety of trips in Dubai 6 months earlier, might have needed the run; dwelt, mid-field, headway halfway, weakened from 2f out; he's without a handicap win from several attempts, though.

CHICHESTER was well in under a penalty for his wide-margin win at Ayr but failed to confirm that form, possibly finding the race coming too soon just 8 days on; dwelt, raced far side, in rear, ridden around 3f out, not quicken; he'll obviously find life tougher when his new mark kicks in.

BELL ROCK has been consistent at a lesser level this year but bombed out for the second time in a high-end handicap this season, probably just too high in the weights for races of this nature (5 lb higher mark than when third in this race in 2020); raced far side, mid-field, struggling 3f out, soon beaten.

TRAIS FLUORS fared no better than last time; slowly into stride, in rear, never a threat.

MONTATHER (IRE) needs a bit more from this sort of mark but is better judged on previous form, drawn on the wrong side and never in the hunt.

FANTASTIC FOX ran no sort of race; in rear, struggling 3f out, never landed a blow.

INDEED failed in no uncertain terms to build upon the promise of his belated reappearance and presumably hasn't been the easiest to train over the past couple of years; raced far side, prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened.

MAGICAL MORNING proved to be a disappointment, a couple of tame finishing efforts now sandwiching his fine York second; prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened.

BALTIC BARON (IRE) faced a stiff task from out of the handicap, was well held; dwelt, always behind.

ASTRO KING (IRE) shaped as if amiss; mid-division, eased from 2f out.

POWER OF DARKNESS in a change of headgear (first-time visor), offered little; never a threat.