TAUNTON 14:25

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +93 yds

Time: 4m 37.8s Closing Sectional: (4.85f): 67.1s (103.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.3%

Just 7 runners but no shortage of positive profiles and there's a chance this makes for really strong form, with obvious reasons why the first 4 - each one progressive and in leading hands - will be of interest again; the pace was steady until 3 out but the principals had separated themselves from the other 3 by the next.

AN TAILLIUR (FR) underlined his status as the most progressive hurdler on the scene as he made it 6 wins from as many completed starts this season, and he's not finished improving yet, doing well to win a steadily run race back down in trip when more of a test suits ideally; patiently ridden, headway out wide 3 out, shaken up before next, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, responded well; he remains one to keep on side.

DARGIANNINI (IRE) ran a career best and will surely continue to progress and win handicaps for his new stable, including if tried over further (plenty of stamina in pedigree), briefly tapped for toe between the last 2 but coming back for more late; raced wide, handy, not fluent second, upsides 4 out, went on after next, headed when untidy 2 out, stuck to task.

GUERNESEY (FR) was on the same mark as when chasing home a next-time winner at Warwick and shaped well regardless of whether a final-flight blunder cost him victory (going marginally best at the time, though the winner finished very strongly); in touch, travelled well, headway to lead 2 out, clouted last, headed final 100 yds, ran on; he's due a rise in the weights but is progressing well and is sure to be of interest again.

GRISBI DE BERCE (FR) without the hood this time, shaped encouragingly, not really suited by a steadyish gallop yet catching the eye with the way he moved for a long way, and that he didn't finish nearly as strongly as the 3 ahead can be excused on his first start for 6 months, acknowledging that his style is that of one always likely to do its best work on the bridle; dropped out, tanked along, progress home turn, every chance when shaken up between last 2, no extra flat; a well-run race back at 2m could be just the ticket for him.

MISTER ALLEGRO was below form, facing a toughish task in a race like this for his handicap debut; made running, took keen hold, headed approaching 4 out, lost touch home turn.

MOLLIANA was below form, perhaps just found out in a more competitive race; patiently ridden, not fluent sixth, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten.

OPENING BID back up in trip, underperformed, not putting up much of a fight; pressed leader, upsides 4 out, pushed along home turn, found little; his Warwick win isn't working out.