The third hurdle race of the afternoon in which previous form was turned upside down by the drying ground. Weak novice form by Newbury standards, however, and only four possible winners from approaching the straight.

This was ORANGE STREET's first opportunity to race on fast ground over hurdles, and he left his previous form well behind, overcoming a blunder three out to win impressively. While his task was made easier by the fall two out of Square Mile, there is no question Orange Street was travelling the better at the time, and he would have won even further but for the mistake. He will carry on this spring now that the ground has come good for him, although his trainer is concerned that he may end up with a Newbury handicap mark even though the form looked sub-standard for the course. He will jump fences one day.

Square Mile, conceding a 6lb penalty and tongue tied after disappointing at Ludlow, was driven along in only the narrowest of leads when he fell. He may have been second, but he didn't look the winner.

More disappointing was Here's Johnny, who received rave reviews after impressing in a Sandown bumper but showed little on his hurdles debut and failed to improve all that much for the subsequent 67-day break. Having been left in second two out he had surrendered that position again at the last and was beaten the best part of 20 lengths. There was a long gap to Sparklinspirit and debutant Sir Bathwick, neither of whom look future winners.

*Paddy Brennan reported that Icomb lost his action.

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