FONTWELL PARK 15:45 6y491z

All 12 ran. Fences: 15. Race Distance Adjustment: +12 yds

Time: 4m 55.5s Closing Sectional: (2.4f): 39.7s (91.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 98.7%

Excellent prize money for the level produced a competitive handicap if not exactly one full of unknown quantities, and the positive effect of first-time blinkers saw the enigmatic winner take over from the favourite soon after the last; the pace was good.

JOE COTTON (IRE) proved better than ever to scoop a good prize for a stable in fine form, first-time blinkers doing the trick even if his quirks were clearly in evidence once he hit the front; close up, travelled well, produced to lead soon after last, idled flat, ridden out; he can hold his own from higher marks but much depends on whether the headgear continues to work.

GOOD FRIDAY FAIRY (IRE) ran another fine race even if he couldn't bring up the hat-trick, unable to lead outright but sticking at it gamely once the winner went past; pressed leader, upsides tenth, went on before 3 out, awkward last 2, headed run-in, kept on.

NEXT LEFT (IRE) ran respectably in first-time cheekpieces but never looked like getting away from his rivals ridden from the front; led narrowly, ed tenth, pushed along before 3 out, mistake there, dropped to fourth next, plugged on.

KOENIGSSTERN (IRE) without the headgear this time, shaped as if back in form but failed to impress with his jumping; mid-division, mistakes tenth, 5 out, headway when ridden next, one paced from 3 out.

VALIRANN GOLD (IRE) out of the handicap, looked a bit flattered to beat as many as he did on a rare outing away from the mud; close up, badly outpaced 4 out, no chance after, last of those still going last, merely ed beaten horses flat.

HATOS (FR) minus his usual tongue strap, again ran below form; mid-division, in touch when untidy 4 out, faded from next.

ROYAL MER (FR) probably remains in form but couldn't sustain his headway; held up, slow sixth, headway 4 out, no further impression.

DIPLOMATIC ASH (IRE) was better than the distance beaten suggests but did look rather hard work and faltered badly late on having his third run of the month; prominent, mistake second, not fluent ninth, challenged after 4 out, still second 2 out, folded and lost many places flat.

CALL OFF THE DOGS (IRE) might have needed the run after 4 months off, returning in a more competitive race than he usually contests; not fluent fourth, ninth, never involved.

ZESTFUL HOPE (FR) followed a win with a bad run; held up, struggling badly 5 out.

DOC MCCOY (IRE) fared no better in first-time blinkers; in rear, jumped sketchily, never travelling well, beaten long way out; temperament under suspicion.

FAME AND FUN (IRE) ran badly; in touch, lost place sixth, struggling when blundered 5 out.