Expert Analysis

Quite a strong renewal of this Group 2, though one in which the result needs to be viewed in the context of a few failing to give their running in a slightly messy affair, the overall time 0.15s slower than the earlier handicap when more than double that faster might have been expected given the abilities of the respective winners, this contest steadily run early and resulting in a finishing speed of over 103%. The best two on the day came to the fore, though it is possible that racing more towards the centre than the majority of their rivals accentuated their superiority somewhat. Starman can be rated a decent winner: not as good as Harry Angel (rated 124) in 2018 but better than many of the others to succeed in recent years.

STARMAN (118 here, 114 previously) has done nothing but improve since winning a humble maiden at Lingfield 10 months ago, with the notable exception of a poor effort in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October on ground softer than the borderline “good” and “good to soft” which prevailed here, and is good enough to win an average Diamond Jubilee Stakes, though Dream of Dreams is still ahead of him in the ratings (122) for that race at present. He raced a couple of lengths off the pace early, moved up to lead approaching the final 1f and forged clear with the second, ridden out. He has raced only at 6f but strides and shapes like one who will get a bit further if asked, for all that it was raw speed as much as anything that landed him these spoils.

NAHAARR (117 here, 108 previously) was much better than on his March reappearance, and better still than his impressive Ayr Gold Cup win, some way back given the steady early pace, but improving strongly in the penultimate 1f and continuing to run on for pressure though held near the finish. He comes out at least as good as the winner on sectionals and has every prospect of winning a good race this year, probably at 6f.

OXTED (105 here, 120 previously) had no apparent excuses, other than he might have finished a bit closer racing more towards the centre, well placed as things unfolded but unable to quicken in the manner of the two who beat him, conditions suitable for him. He had a breathing operation after his July Cup win last year and has looked more like a 112-rated performer since. 

SUMMERGHAND (101 here, 109 previously) ran respectably but is not quite this calibre when the bigger guns are firing, in front rank for a change with the early pace steady and one paced from over 1f out. 

VENTURA REBEL (99 here, 108 previously) ran as well as could be expected in terms of position, if not quite in terms of rating, keeping on from mid-field. He seems best this trip, though possibly ideally with a bit more of a test than he got here. 

ART POWER (98 here, 115 previously) should fare better with this behind him, the test not showing him in his best light ultimately, taking a while to settle with the early pace steady then able only to keep on from midfield. He needs a test at 5f, stays 6f, and has raced only on ground softer than good. 

EMARAATY ANA (97 here, 107 previously) was not discredited but finished weakly after leading and would be at least as good back at 5f. 

BRANDO (78 here, 105 previously) has staged a few revivals before now but does not seem the same horse currently as the one who missed only narrowly in the Champions Sprint at Ascot a few starts back. 

FINAL SONG (60 here, 110 previously), a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed in Dubai, ran poorly even allowing for the ground possibly being softer than ideal for her. 

LADY IN FRANCE (50 here, 104 previously) had something to find even on her Abbaye fourth but ran poorly anyway, free early at this longer trip. 

QUEEN JO JO (49 here, 104 previously) never threatened. 

MOLATHAM (0 here, 111 previously), sadly, suffered a fatal heart attack after.