ASCOT 15:40 1d4d64

Non Runners: CRACKSMAN.

Time: 2m 25.84s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.85s (99.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 99.4%

A pair of top-class older horses produced a thrilling climax to the middle-distance highlight of the summer, having a tremendous tussle at the end of a strongly-run race and coming well clear of some substandard opposition, in doing so banishing to a large extent the ghosts of the absent, coverage on the previous 2 days largely devoted to whether enough rain would fall for connections to allow Cracksman to run -it didn't -, the withdrawal slightly earlier of Waldgeist, for the same reason, and Kew Gardens leaving a purely British- and Irish-trained line-up with just token 3-y-o representation, the sidelined Masar and last year's winner Enable, still to make her return, others that would have added considerably to the depth of the race; the riders of the first 2 were found to have been excessive in their use of the whip and received bans of 4 and 2 days respectively.

POET'S WORD (IRE) had made his breakthrough at Group 1 level here last month, a win for which he perhaps deserved more credit, and he followed up under a similarly confident ride, though he was pushed to the limit by his game stable companion, producing a top-class performance in the process; held up, headway entering straight, found plenty to lead inside last ½f, held on gamely; he has numerous options for the rest of the year, with the Irish Champion Stakes and the Champion Stakes, in both of which he was runner-up last year, among them, sure to continue to give a good whatever the plan.

CRYSTAL OCEAN had looked a potentially top-class performer in winning his 3 previous races this year and duly showed it in narrow defeat, running a really game race in defeat; in touch, travelled well, quickened to lead 2f out, stayed on strongly, headed inside last ½f, rallied; he has loads of options for the rest of the year, at this trip and over shorter (entered in the International and Irish Champion), though the Arc seems the most obvious fit for him, likely to be a leading contender if aimed at that.

CORONET was placed at Group 1 level for the fourth time, but she wasn't in quite the same form as when just touched off at Saint-Cloud last time, left well behind by the first 2 in the closing stages; waited with, effort 3f out, steady progress straight, took third 1f out, stayed on, never a threat; she was runner-up in the Yorkshire Oaks last summer and will presumably aim to go one better next month.

SALOUEN (IRE) had run 2 fine races in defeat at this level on his last 2 starts, but he wasn't in the same form this time, too close to the strong pace set by Rostropovich to see out his race; close up, upsides over 3f out, ridden entering straight, no extra 2f out; he would be well able to win a pattern event at a lower level, having won just a maiden and a novice from 19 starts to date, though fourth-place prize money here took his career earnings over £400,000.

ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) has improved since going up to this trip and ran his best race yet last time out, under a well-judged ride from the front, similar tactics this time not nearly so well executed against superior opposition; led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, no extra; he may well have to go on his travels to land a race at this level.

DESERT ENCOUNTER (IRE) equalled last summer's placing in the same race, though that was about the limit of his involvement; very slowly away, always in rear, labouring over 3f out.

HYDRANGEA (IRE) back up in trip, had a fair bit to prove after her poor showing in the Duke of Cambridge, but ran even worse, in trouble a long way out; waited with, labouring over 3f out, weakened early in straight; it's possible she'll revive on soft ground in the autumn but it would be hard to fancy her until she shows signs of a revival.