Expert Analysis

At best an average running of this contest, elevated from listed to Group 2 level after 2014, the winner no Harry Angel (won with a rating of 121 in 2017) but comparable with the two most recent victors, Sands of Mali and Hello Youmzain, and it did at least have its biggest field for a while. On-screen splits show that it was run at a sound pace, with no significant sectional mark-ups needed for any of the principals, the overall time a healthy enough 1.81s (about 10 lengths) quicker than the fairly useful concluding handicap.  

ROHAAN (111 here, 107 previously) did not need to show the vast improvement that might be imagined from his SP, his Ascot win coming with solid splits and a useful overall time, but this win is still a new personal best, a well-run 6f showing him in a particularly good light, for all that he has won on all-weather at 7f. He was held up in last but well in touch, made good headway to lead about 1f out then had to find plenty for pressure to hold off the rallying second. The fact that he is a gelding rules him out of a few races, but he deserves to mix it with even better rivals than here.    

DRAGON SYMBOL (111 here, 109 previously) lost his unbeaten record by the narrowest margin but if anything enhanced his status, likely to be just about the best of these with this further experience under his belt, racing wide (unclear whether that was a disadvantage or not) and a length or two off the pace until improving well to dispute the lead briefly 1f out, coming again by the line to make it very close. An average Commonwealth Cup winner is rated 117, so almost two lengths better than this, but such further improvement from him is at least possible.

UMM KULTHUM (105 here and previously) returned to the level she showed when third in the Cheveley Park last year, despite having to weave her way through somewhat, mid to rear until headway and switched right then left, ending on the far rail but making no further progress right at the death. She used to be a slow starter, and sometimes pulled hard, but was fine in both respects here.   

LIGHT REFRAIN (105 here, 101 previously) continues to thrive, this an even better effort than when winning a listed race at Nottingham the time before, and she looks well worth another try at 7f, coming from towards the rear and continuing to stay on without quite getting in a blow.

METHOD (104 here, 106 previously) shaped a bit better than the result, tracking the pace before leading briefly 1f out, then fading. He is probably a sprinter and these conditions may have taxed him.

ISABELLA GILES (101 here, 107 previously) was not discredited, showing plenty of speed again to dispute the lead for a long way, no extra late on.

MUJBAR (97 here, 102 previously) shaped as if needing further, a winner twice already at 7f, outpaced after halfway.

APOLLO ONE (89 here, 103 previously) had his work cut out but underperformed even so.

SAINT LAWRENCE (81 here, 103 previously) showed up for a long way but found little in first-time cheekpieces.

THE LIR JET (75 here, 106 previously) might have been unsuited by the mud, having encountered nothing softer than good to soft previously, though he did dispute the lead until past halfway.