NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:40

Non Runners: COEUR D'OR (IRE), SILENT FILM, NAVAGIO (IRE), WATCHA MATEY, PENZANCE, CRACK SHOT (IRE).

Time: 1m 50.67s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.65s (98%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 145%, Betfair SP 104.8%

There was the usual huge field for this showpiece handicap, but a marked draw bias rendered it one of the less competitive renewals, the field splitting into 3 groups, those drawn 1-15 going far side and at a significant advantage over the rest - stalls 30-37 raced near side with 16-29 a bit more central - making intepretation of the result more about picking out individual promise than treating this as a solid piece of form in its own right, especially in the unfavoured groups; that said, Liberty Lane scored in impressive fashion, becoming the second top-weight running to win this contest but boasting a more appealing profile than Astro King last year, still only 4 and possessing the scope to get better still, a group horse in a handicap in all likelihood.

LIBERTY LANE (IRE) put up one of the handicap performances of the year, the first winner of this race to break through the 120 barrier on Timeform ratings since subsequent Group race scorer Wissahickon back in 2018, and whilst he was clearly helped by the draw bias, this step forward isn't unwarranted given how he's shaped on a few occasions this year, including when scoring over C&D in the spring; raced far side, close up, travelled smoothly, led group around 3f out, shaken up under 2f out, led overall soon after, quickened clear, kept going well; he'll probably need an even bigger effort to follow up under a penalty in the Balmoral if taking up that entry on Champions Day, and a step up to pattern company looks a better move, already at a level to win such races and looking an easier ride than has been the case, maturing all the time.

JAMES MCHENRY was on the right part of the track as this went, but again ran well, adding another placed effort to his CV this season and opening up more options in the process, having no problem with this intermediate trip (should be fully effective at 1¼m); raced far side, prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on.

TOIMY SON (FR) has really found his feet for current yard over the last few months and ran well to make the frame once more, seen to something like maximum effect but also proving his stamina for trips beyond 1m; raced far side, mid-field, smooth headway over 2f out, kept on final 1f, no impression on winner; looks a shade vulnerable in this sort of race following his win at Goodwood in August, but should remain competitive all the same.

BENNETOT (IRE) has been in good form for a while and, off the same mark as when going down narrowly at Ayr (due to be 1 lb higher when revised mark kicks in), ran another sound race in defeat; raced far side, mid-field, shaken up over 3f out, switched 2f out, ran on.

ANDALEEP (IRE) isn't up to winning one of these top-end handicaps but has a cracking constitution, especially for one his age, and on his fifteenth start of the year he wasted no time getting back to form; raced far side, mid-field, outpaced over 3f out, kept on again final 1f.

EBT'S GUARD had a favourable draw, but still shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, in the firing line for a long way before his stamina gave out; raced far side, close up, took strong hold, shaken up around 2f out, no extra final 1f, found the test too much; is in better heart than recent form figures suggest and not one to give up on just yet.

LOOK BACK SMILING (IRE) underperformed and owes his finishing position to where he raced, in the favoured far-side group but never threatening to get involved, merely passing beaten horses on that side.

WAITING ALL NIGHT enjoyed a productive summer over shorter trips on the July course and was better than the bare result on his first visit to this track, faring best of those who didn't race on the far side; raced near side, close up, ridden 3f out, stuck to task.

NORWALK HAVOC looked to have a bit on at the weights, 3 lb higher than when second at Galway 8 weeks earlier, but shaped as if still in good form, first home of those who raced in the centre-to-stand side group; in touch, ridden 3f out, not quicken final 1f.

BOPEDRO (FR) has a good record at this track (third in corresponding event in 2023 off 9 lb higher mark) and, without the headgear this time, did about as well as could be expected under the circumstances, both too far back and on the wrong side the way this unfolded; raced centre, in rear, headway 2f out, kept on, never landed a blow; he's due to be 3 lb higher in future races, though, which does slightly temper enthusiasm for him snapping his losing run this backend.

DUAL IDENTITY (IRE) claimer ridden, is better judged on previous form as he wasn't ideally placed on this occasion; raced near side, mid-field, shaken up 3f out, kept on from 2f out.

MAJESTIC (IRE) who won the corresponding event in 2022 and was fourth off the same mark last year, had presumably been primed for this, given a mid-summer break before returning to action 10 days earlier, but didn't get the chance to show what he could do; raced near side, held up, pushed along 3f out, steady headway final 1f, had no chance the way this unfolded.

MR KING (IRE) after just 7 days off, was much better than the bare result, giving it a really good go under a change of tactics and shaping best of those who didn't race far side; raced near side, led group, not settle fully, went a couple of lengths clear overall 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, made effort earlier than ideal; his last 2 runs give the firm impression he can win off a mark in the low 90s and he's one to be interested in.

BALMACARA looked to have plenty going for him, one of the least exposed and arriving on the up, but proved to be a disappointment, on the right side of the draw and getting a similar ride to the winner but checking out tamely; raced far side, led, ridden over 3f out, headed soon after, weakened.

GODWINSON arrived on the back of a career-best display and is better judged on that effort; raced centre, mid-field, headway under pressure over 2f out, effort flattened out, not ideally placed.

MYTHICAL GUEST (IRE) was in the right group but failed to build on the promise of last run, ground softer than good perhaps not ideal for him (strong traveller); raced far side, mid-division, shaken up under 3f out, close up 2f out, weakened final 1f.

THEORYOFEVERYTHING under a penalty, wasn't in the same form as last time and had no obvious excuses; raced far side, waited with, progress over 2f out, effort flattened out.

SILVER SWORD without the headgear this time, after 9 weeks off, shaped better than the distance beaten suggests; raced centre, led group, ridden over 2f out, carried head bit awkwardly, no extra final 1f, not ideally placed; he'll probably be back down to his last winning mark when next seen.

ROI DE FRANCE (IRE) is better judged on previous form, neither his pedigree or run style that of a horse who'll be best on ground softer than good, and he shaped in kind; raced centre, mid-field, not settle fully, good headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, not quicken, not persevered with once held; remains with potential and will be shortlist material off a mark in the mid 90s when back on a sound surface.

PADDY THE SQUIRE in a far more competitive race than previously this year, found run of good form coming to a halt; mid-field, ridden 4f out, lost place, plugged on.

EMPIRESTATEOFMIND (IRE) in a change of headgear, after 8 weeks off, again ran below form; prominent, ridden over 3f out, faded; this truncated season has been a write-off so far and he's not one to be interested in until showing a bit of a spark.

PONIROS without the hood back down in trip, was strong in the betting but followed a good run with a below-par one and is building up a rather patchy record in handicaps; prominent, struggling over 3f out, weakened.

RON O probably remains in form, too free and on the wrong side of the track this time; raced near side, mid-field, weakened over 1f out.

THIS SONGISFORYOU (USA) under a penalty, can have this run ignored, hampered at the start and racing away from the main action, never better than mid-field.

GREAT ACCLAIM underperformed; raced centre, prominent, ridden 3f out, dropped away; type to bounce back quickly.

LA TRINIDAD ran poorly; raced far side, held up, pulled hard, weakened from 2f out.

UNDER SIEGE (IRE) was well held, this sort of environment perhaps coming too soon in his development; raced near side, mid-field, raced freely, struggling under 4f out, weakened.

TOLSTOY (IRE) ran no sort of race; very slowly away, beaten long way out.

DUTCH DECOY ran poorly after 6 weeks off; prominent, weakened from 2f out.

TEUMESSIAS FOX (IRE) back down in trip, ran no sort of race; awkward leaving stalls, held up, took strong hold, always behind.

LION OF WAR in first-time cheekpieces, fared no better than on reappearance; dwelt, always behind.