TAUNTON 16:35

All 6 ran. Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +60 yds

Time: 4m 41.6s Closing Sectional: (4.85f): 70.9s (100%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 99.6%

A fair handicap that saw the least exposed runner improve to see off an in-form trio; the pace was sound.

DON'T WIND ME UP under less testing conditions, was a much bigger price than in his first handicap 9 weeks earlier but showed that effort all wrong as he improved to get off the mark, awkwardness once in front disguising his superiority on the day; close up, not always fluent, went with zest, led before 2 out, carried head awkwardly, hung left flat, driven out; he's got the ability to hold his own in better handicaps, though such races will be a sterner examination of both his jumping and resolution.

THROUGH THE AGES ran creditably while again finding one too good, not really any sharper for first time cheekpieces, this track on drying ground perhaps too much of a speed test; held up, in touch before circuit out, outpaced out wide home turn, rallied 2 out, mistake last, went second run-in, stayed on.

HIM MALAYA (FR) had every chance, maybe just undone by a rise in the weights, acknowledging he'd also been off for 3 months since his C&D win in a higher grade; chased leader, effort when not fluent 2 out, one paced flat.

CHICAGO STORM ran creditably but found life tougher from his new mark; mid-division, mistake sixth, reminders after, ridden after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, mistake last, no extra.

RAFFLES NOBU (FR) in headgear for the first time in Britain, fared no better than previously for the yard; soon led, headed before 2 out, stumbled there, found little.

CLEARANCE probably needed the run after 6 months off, tuning up for a spring/summer campaign (goes well at Newton Abbot); raced off the pace, made mistakes, tailed off after 3 out.