Ratings Update: Magical weekend for O'Brien

Since first raised to Group 2 status in 2006, the Hungerford Stakes has rarely matched up to many other races at the level in terms of the ratings achieved, but Saturday’s race was a strong renewal and the principals were all horses that have hit the frame in Group 1s in the past. Massaat (up from 113+ to 122p) had a bit to prove after 12 months off with injury (reportedly had a chip removed from a fetlock and then suffered another setback), but his second in last year's 2000 Guineas was the best single piece of form on offer, and he looked as good as ever as he came back with a smooth success, the drop back to 7f proving no problem at all. The QEII on Champions Day will be his main target for the season now and he will merit plenty of respect back in Group 1 company, still possible there is a bigger performance in the locker given he has had just seven starts in a rather truncated career to date. Runner-up Librisa Breeze (remains on 120) confirmed impressions from Goodwood that he is in top form, close to his best here, meeting minor interference but not enough to make any difference to the result. He does need luck the way he is ridden, but there is no doubt that he has the ability to win in pattern company.

Elsewhere at Newbury, a good pace made the Geoffrey Freer a true stamina test on softish ground. It is not form to get carried away with, falling a bit short of the standards for this race, but the winner Defoe (119p) is certainly on a steep upward curve. He had beaten subsequent Rose of Lancaster winner Frankuus at Hamilton and this win up further in grade confirms his status as one of the most progressive horses around, unbeaten in four starts this term and doing this as smoothly as he had any of his previous wins. The St Leger is shaping up to be an excellent renewal, but he has certainly built up strong credentials. Runner-up Wall of Fire (up 2 lb to 116) took plenty of stoking up, but was well suited by the emphasis on stamina at the trip and, but for Defoe hanging across him, it would have been a tight finish. The Melbourne Cup is reportedly the plan, although whether his lazy style would suit that race is debatable. Other notable performances in Berkshire include that of Hey Gaman (up 2 lb to 105) who beat an improved Red Mist (up 10 lb to 105p) in the listed Denford Stakes, while Squats (up from 107+ to 113) bounced back to form, as good as ever, in the 7f handicap.

In Ireland this weekend, Order of St George (remains on 124) got back to winning ways after eight weeks off, completing a hat-trick in the Irish St Leger Trial in the style he was entitled to do so. He is likely to head to the Irish St Leger next, a race he won in 2015 before being touched off 12 months ago, and should make a bold bid to regain his crown. There were four Group races on Sunday’s card, including a cracking renewal of the Debutante Stakes, always an informative Group 2. The market suggested it was a match between the Aidan O'Brien-trained dup September (down 2 lb to 111p) and Happily (up 1 lb to 108p), but it was the apparent third string who came out on top, Magical (up from 89p to 112p) enjoying the run of things from the front, though clearly the best on the day with jockey Donnacha O'Brien not needing to pick up his stick. An exciting prospect, Magical will be the one to beat in the Moyglare back at the Curragh next month, while quicker ground should see a better performance from September next time. The other major races took less winning, with Treasuring (unchanged on 99) not needing to improve to win the Curragh Stakes, while a similar comment applies to Shamreen (still 109), who won an uncompetitive renewal of the Royal Whip Stakes. Rostropovich (up 8 lb to 102p) progressed to land a below-par Futurity Stakes, leaving the impression there is more to come as his stamina is drawn out. The Royal Lodge appeals as an obvious target at this stage, while it is surely only a matter of time before stablemate Coat of Arms (up from 89p to 101), runner-up here, sheds his maiden tag.

At Deauville, Sobetsu (up 5 lb to 118) made it two from two at the course when beating Onthemoonagain (up 6 lb to 113) by two and a half lengths in Saturday’s Prix de la Nonette. There was further British interest (and success) on Sunday, with Ajman Princess (up 10 lb to 119) faring best in the Prix Romanet. Smart Call (unchanged on 118) and So Mi Dar (down 2 lb to 118) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Finally, Unfortunately (up 9 lb to 117) improved on his Prix Robert Papin win when leading home stablemate Havana Grey (up 4 lb to 112) in the Prix Morny, further evidence that his trainer Karl Burke can make an impact at the top level with the right horses. Princess Margaret Stakes winner Nyaleti (down from 112p to 110) was unable to dominate as she had previously done at Ascot and could step back up in trip next time.