PONTEFRACT 14:40 1y4f6s

All 11 ran.

Time: 2m 17.3s Closing Sectional: (2f): 27.8s (98.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 99.1%

With neither of the Newmarket-trained 4-y-os that dominated the market meeting expectations, this is perhaps not as strong a race as it looked like being, the runner-up rather left alone in front too, but the winner still deserves credit for running him down with authority, even if he got a good run up the inner.

BARYSHNIKOV represents a fledgling training partnership that has made a flying start and proved better than ever to make a winning return from 5 months off; slowly into stride, held up, headway on inner early in straight, led inside final 1f, driven out.

PRIDE OF AMERICA (FR) back on turf and in stronger company than last time, again ran well; raced clear, took strong hold, pushed along early in straight, headed inside final 1f, kept on.

INJAZATI (IRE) very strong in the betting after 6 months off, wasn't disgraced considering last year's form, though equally didn't make the step forward that the market suggested he would, few excuses on the day given how things panned out; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on while lugging a bit to his right.

FIRST IMPRESSION (IRE) back on turf, ran to just a similar level to last time, looking some way off getting his head in front despite a tempting mark; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, plugged on.

FISHABLE possibly needed the run after 6 months off; mid-division, pushed along 3f out, no extra inside final 1f.

PETER THE GREAT was last seen behind Dubai Honour in a very warm 3-y-o handicap at the July meeting (gelded since) but he proved to be a disappointment 9 months on; slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 2f out, no extra inside final 1f; his early form looks strong, but he has a few questions to answer now all the same.

RACING COUNTRY (IRE) offered little in first-time tongue strap after 13 months off; always behind.

MARCH LAW (IRE) had failed to beat a rival on all-weather last time and back on turf after 11 weeks off, ran even worse; slowly into stride, mid-field, left behind over 2f out.

IBERIA (IRE) went backwards from reappearance; in rear, made no impression.

LOVE IS GOLDEN (IRE) unproven on the ground, wasn't in the same form as last time; mid-field, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 2f out.

RHYTHMIC INTENT (IRE) after 5 months off, shaped as if amiss (reported post-race to be suffering from atrial fibrillation); chased leader, folded tamely over 4f out; he did something similar on his second start last year before bouncing right back the next time.