NEWCASTLE 16:05 5c1n51

All 12 ran.

Time: 1m 39.71s Closing Sectional: (2f): 25.8s (96.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 103%

A less competitive handicap than seemed likely, Bowerman underperforming, Crownthorpe unseating at the start and Baltic Baron running as if amiss; that said, the runner-up arrived in good heart and the winner has probably improved a bit to see him off.

MILITARY LAW back on all-weather/back down in trip after 11 weeks off, got back on the up to run out a workmanlike winner; close up, led soon after halfway, dug deep under pressure; clearly isn't the easiest to train, but good runs outweigh the bad when he does make it to the track and he's in excellent hands, so he should remain competitive granted similar conditions.

QAROUN again ran well to be placed for the fourth start in a row, nothing wrong with his attitude and deserving credit for his consistency but just vulnerable to anything progressive; close up, pushed along over 2f out, stuck to task.

VENTURA KNIGHT (IRE) back on all-weather/back down in trip, again ran creditably, but reminded of his quirks in the process, going about matters in laboured fashion; mid-field, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on.

SENIORITY back on all-weather for the first time since recording a brace of wins in spring-2018, ran just respectably; held up, headway around 2f out, effort flattened out; had no excuses and it could be that this is just about his level at present, which will leave him vulnerable off a mark 4 lb higher than for his last success.

BEDOUIN'S STORY is a quirky character but probably better judged on previous form, the switch in tactics seeming to backfire on this occasion; prominent, raced freely, effort under 3f out, every chance under 2f out, no extra final 1f, did too much too soon.

GLENGARRY in a better race than he need contest, found run of good form coming to a halt; dived left leaving stalls, in rear, never a threat; type to bounce back quickly when returned to calmer waters.

BOWERMAN was easy to back near the off and in nothing like the same form as when routing a lesser field over this C&D 8 weks ago, looking laboured from a fair way out, to the extent that all may not have been well (clearly hard to train); mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

TREVITHICK back on all-weather, fared no better after 5 weeks off; led, headed over 3f out, weakened; his rider put up 2 lb overweight, incidentally.

BALTIC BARON (IRE) arrived in good heart but shaped as if amiss making all-weather debut; dwelt, in rear, beaten long way out and eased off (rider looked down).

GLENDEVON (USA) fared no better; very slowly away, took little interest, never a threat.

CROWNTHORPE unseated rider start.

REY LOOPY (IRE) slowly into stride, in rear, struggling long way out, pulled up.