Ratings Update: Rascal going the right way

History was made on Saturday with the first ever dead-heat in the Ayr Gold Cup since its inception in 1802. The £200,000 cavalry charge looked typically competitive beforehand, but proved less so in the event – 23 of the 25 runners posted below-par efforts, by a long way in most cases, and the front pair had four lengths to spare over the remainder at the finish.

Son of Rest (up 3 lb to 116) and Baron Bolt (up 10 lb to 116) raced from the same mark with the latter’s 5 lb penalty for his earlier success at Goodwood taken into account, and both deserve full praise for their smart efforts on the day. The former, who was 10 lb well-in following his second in a Group 1 at the Curragh six days earlier, was sent off 5/1 favourite and delivered in full, with only a late surge – and huge leap in form terms – from Baron Bolt preventing him from winning it outright. The handicapper’s response will mean that both will likely be seen in pattern company next, Son of Rest having already shown his worth in that sphere, and it would be no surprise to see them reoppose in the British Champions Sprint, both proven in testing conditions after all.

It’s a dead heat!

Son of Rest and Baron Bolt can’t be split and will share the 2018 William Hill Ayr Gold Cup 🤝🏆 pic.twitter.com/YHWQDl8jfs

— Ayr Racecourse (@ayrracecourse) September 22, 2018

The sole pattern race on Saturday’s card at Ayr, the Firth of Clyde Stakes, went the way of Queen of Bermuda (up 2 lb to 102), though she barely needed to improve to resume winning ways back against her own sex. It's perhaps best not to get too carried away with the form, particularly in the conditions, though the winner is a very likeable filly and saw the trip out well on her first try over six furlongs.

Similar comments apply to the same afternoon’s Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, with a cautious view of the form perhaps best given that none of the seven that lined up had proven themselves on such soft ground previously. The winner Kessaar (up 6 lb to 114) is at least going the right way and the versatility that he's showing with regards underfoot conditions should continue to stand him in good stead, while runner-up True Mason (105p from 105) shaped really well, the relative stamina test proving his undoing after he'd moved through the race best of all. He has the physique to train on well and is a colt to look forward to in his three-year-old season.

The Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes produced a thrilling finish, with Young Rascal (120p from 116+) resuming his progress after four months off to get the better of Mirage Dancer (remains on 121), who was conceding him 6 lb, and Desert Encounter (remains on 117) in a three-way go to the line. A galloper with a rounded action, it’s no surprise that Young Rascal handles very testing ground well and he’s sure to stay longer trips should connections go down that route in the future, while Mirage Dancer has improved on every front this year and ought to continue to run well.

Mr Lupton (remains on 116) was very strong in the betting and proved at least as good as ever to win his first Group race in the form of the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes, produced inside the final furlong to deny the gallant Take Cover (114+) in ready fashion. The winner should continue to give a good account, such is his versatility (acts on good to firm and heavy going) and toughness, while Saturday’s race was reportedly Take Cover’s swansong; he was a very smart sprinter in his prime, winning the King George Stakes at Goodwood on two occasions, and a credit to his connections having recorded a 15^th career victory at the age of 11 at Beverley last month.

Over at Newmarket on Saturday, Stars Over The Sea (up 9 lb to 115) was well backed and produced his best effort to date on the Flat as he won the Cesarewitch Trial by 10 lengths. He'd look well treated under a 4 lb penalty in the big race itself, though this race was rather handed to him by the other nine jockeys in the race (allowed to establish a huge lead from an early stage before coming home unchallenged), and he is unlikely to get his own way like that again.

Five star performance ⭐️

Stars Over The Sea leaves the field for dust as he takes the Pantile Stud Cesarewitch Trial Handicap with Pat Cosgrave aboard. pic.twitter.com/Mp0CNcls3L

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 22, 2018

Other eye-catching performances last week came from Sheikha Reika (up 11 lb to 111p) at Yarmouth and Wadilsafa (remains on 118p) at Sandown, both on Wednesday. The former showed improved form to make her first start at listed level a winning one, the step up in trip the making of her, and should win more races with the prospect of more to come, while Wadilsafa will likely be back in Group company before long having completed his own task in listed company in clinical fashion. Whatever the plan for the back-end, he should make a high-class four-year-old.

Finally, Broadway (109) gained the pattern win her previous efforts merited in a Group 3 at Gowran Park on Saturday, not needing to improve to do so, while Ghaiyyath (up 4 lb to 119p), a smart two-year-old last season, proved better than ever on his belated reappearance to win the Prix du Prince d'Orange at Longchamp; he remains open to more improvement over middle-distances and should make an impact in any race he contests during the rest of the year.