Drying conditions since declaration time left the ground just on the firm side. Possibly a fair maiden as, though a couple of these stood out on form, there were also a handful of potentially interesting newcomers in the field. Nevertheless, they went nogreat pace, reducing its value as a guide to the runners’ relative merits.

MR SANDICLIFFE got the ideal ride for the way the race was run, soon to the fore, switched to the stands’-side rail, going on well over a furlong out and just holding on. He had finished second five times previously and is clearly not the easiest ride but he may be seen to better advantage with a stronger pace, so that he can be dropped in. He will not find things easy in handicaps with a BHB mark of 90 but that rating is asign that he has some decent form to his credit and he may be the sort to run better in better company.

Storm On The Run was sweating and edgy in the paddock but made a creditable return to action, just failing to catch the winner – this is probably the effort on which to judge him, rather than his defeat of Classic hope Red Clubs last year.

Falmassim also offered promise for the future on his debut, picking up nicely to make encouraging headway in the final furlong, and is the sort to build on this start.

Spinning stepped up on the form of his debut on the all-weather and should progress again, while Tender Process is sure to come on for this racecourse introduction - he did quite well to finish as close as he did after a slow start and he looks the sort to improve.

But Macademy Royal was fractious at the start and failed to confirm the promise he had shown in two previous runs on the all-weather.

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