Expert Analysis

This Guineas card had to survive an early-morning inspection after rain meant that some areas of the course were waterlogged. In the event, the ground was soft at worst judged on times, and not many horses had valid excuses on account of it. This race tends to be one of the easier Group 2s to win, with the Irish sprint division seldom deep and usually only one or two raiders from Britain, and that was the case again here after a couple of non-runners and with the favourite not at his best. The pace was fair, the winner a bit quicker than par from halfway with a 104.6% finishing speed.

GUSTAVUS WESTON (112 here, 100 previously) gained his first win since a Group 3 at this course and distance on heavy ground in 2019, no evidence of a fluke with the effort backed up by a decent time, but his overall record would make you wonder whether he will back this up. He tracked the pace towards the centre, was ridden and stayed on to lead in the final 1f, kept up to his work. He needs a test at this trip but has yet to show his form at 7f.

MAKE A CHALLENGE (109 here and previously) had misfired on occasions since a productive time of it last summer, but was right back to his best here, travelling smoothly in the lead/disputing the lead, shaken up and responding over 1f out but headed with about 100 yards to go. He won on good to firm at 7f earlier in his career but goes well in the mud and is as good at 5f as 6f.

SONAIYLA (100 here, 107 previously) ran well enough on what was her reappearance to suggest she will be back to her best next time, possibly a bit ring rusty in being slowly into her stride before staying on from off the pace, having to be switched a couple of times. There was not much between her form at 5f and 7f last year, when she was a listed winner and Group placed.

GLEN SHIEL (104 here, 117 previously) gave the impression the run was needed to put him spot on, shaping quite encouragingly all told, prominent near the stand rail and disputing the lead mid-race only to fade late on. He thrived on his racing in 2020, winning five races, notably the British Champions Sprint on his final start, and striking up a particularly good partnership with Hollie Doyle. He had form at further and on firmer earlier in his career, but 6f and give (or Tapeta) does show him in a good light. 

SMASH WILLIAMS (100 here, 103 previously) ran with credit on what was his reappearance, tracking the pace and keeping on again having got a bit outpaced. He last won in 2018 and stays 7f.

URBAN BEAT (98 here, 104 previously) ran respectably but is not quite up to this level, awkward leaving his stall and finding no extra late on.

SPEAK IN COLOURS (96 here, 110 previously) is operating below his best, a bit slowly into his stride and never on terms.

INDIGO BALANCE (94 here, 106 previously) looks a 5f performer and weakened after travelling well enough close up.

LAUGH A MINUTE (94 here, 106 previously) was a bit better than the result, attempting to come through from the rear when stopped in his run 1f out.

NORDIC PASSAGE (77 here, 95 previously) compromised what small chance he had by starting slowly, not for the first time.