ASCOT 15:50

Non Runners: TELLOVOI (IRE), BRONZE ANGEL (IRE), CAPO ROSSO (IRE), FRONTIER FIGHTER.

Time: 1m 29.78s

Overrounds: Industry SP 142%, Betfair SP 101.1%

The 9 that raced in the disjointed, unevenly-paced far-side ground had next to no chance, but among the principals on the stand side this looks a strong Victoria Cup, the winner putting up a pattern-class performance to pull clear of a thriving last-time winner, who himself drew clear of the remainder, among whom there are no shortage of interesting types.

GABRIEL'S LAD (IRE) goes well at this track and, away on terms this time and with everything dropping perfectly, showed much improved form, putting up a pattern-class performance; raced stand side, dropped out, travelled powerfully, headway on bridle 2f out, quickened to lead last ½f, soon clear; worth place in better company, though smaller-field conditions races are unlikely to suit him so well as this one did.

GLEN MOSS (IRE) is in form of life and ran even better than last time from 5 lb higher; raced stand side, prominent, travelled well, led over 2f out, headed last ½f, kept on, clear of remainder; sure to go well again.

BELGIAN BILL the Hunt Cup winner last year, shaped as if as good as ever after 7 months off; dwelt, raced stand side, mid-division, headway 2f out, challenged entering final 1f, ran on; likely to give a good account at the Royal Meeting here next month.

AYAAR (IRE) couldn't close the gap on Glen Moss from Kempton but again went with promise, shaping up well in little time with new stable; raced stand side, mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, challenged approaching final 1f, ran on; worth another try at 1m.

GRAMERCY (IRE) fitter for reappearance, shaped as if back in good form with blinkers refitted; raced stand side, dropped out, travelled well, headway over 1f out, never nearer, left with a lot to do even allowing for the race being run to suit those held up.

PASTORAL PLAYER shaped as if retaining plenty of ability after 7 months off, likely to be sharper for the run; slowly into stride, raced stand side, held up, headway from 2f out, one paced; he's a tricky sort but has been given a big chance by the handicapper judged on what he was doing this time last season.

BOOTS AND SPURS ran much better than on return/stable debut with tongue strap fitted back down in trip, definite signs he's working back to form; raced stand side, mid-field, ridden 2f out, not quicken; well worth noting when headgear goes back on, visored for all best efforts.

DON'T CALL ME (IRE) isn't yet firing on all cylinders but at least ran much better than last time, back down in trip returned to a track where he's run well numerous times before; raced stand side, mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken; he's quickly become well handicapped, 10 lb lower here than when fourth in last season's Hunt Cup.

DONT BOTHER ME (IRE) claimer ridden, wasn't in same form as last time, though hardly shaped as if he's suddenly gone off the boil, and it's still very early days with this stable; raced stand side, prominent, ridden over 2f out, challenged approaching final 1f, faded final 1f.

RUWAIYAN (USA) so impressive at Thirsk 7 days earlier, shaped much better than the bare result in this better-class handicap, up to going close from this 10 lb higher mark another time; raced far side, held up, took strong hold, headway 2f out, ran on, first home in group but no chance with stand-side principals; in form of life, one to bear in mind next time.

SOUND ADVICE back down in trip, ran below form, probably paying for making his effort a long way out; raced stand side, close up, led after halfway, effort 2f out, headed approaching final 1f, weakened; type to bounce back quickly.

GEORGIAN BAY (IRE) shaped much better than the bare result back on turf, just having no chance from where he raced; raced far side, held up, headway 2f out, kept on but never on terms (narrow second in group); beat the second and fourth here easily at Kempton last time and remains on a very fair mark just 6 lb higher, likely to prove the point another day.

BROWNSEA BRINK well backed, has been let off lightly by handicapper with unchanged mark but produced a rare below-par effort; steadied at the start, raced stand side, in rear, ridden over 2f out, made no impression; type to bounce back quickly and well worth another chance.

HEAVEN'S GUEST (IRE) fared no better back up in trip/returned to a handicap, yet to fire this season; raced stand side, prominent, ridden after 3f out, weakened final 1f.

REDVERS (IRE) shaped as if back in form with blinkers refitted, clearly a lot better than distance beaten suggests; raced far side, mid-division, travelled well, shaken up 2f out, kept on, third home in group but had a hopeless task from position.

PURCELL (IRE) better judged on previous form, on the wrong side back on turf here (fourth in group); raced far side, led group, pushed along over 2f out, hung left approaching final 1f, no extra; he's now hung left every time he's run at this track.

SPIRITUAL STAR (IRE) back on turf, might have needed run after 7 weeks off, ran below form; raced stand side, held up, ridden over 2f out, made no impression.

EXCELLENT GUEST who won this race last year, lost his form after but is best best not judged on this low-key return from 7 months off; raced far side, in touch, effort 2f out, not quicken, had a hopeless task from position.

BERTIEWHITTLE easy to put a line through this run; raced far side, mid-division, ridden 2f out, made no impression, had a hopeless task from position; type to bounce back quickly.

BURN THE BOATS (IRE) might have needed run after 7 months off but ran poorly all the same and has work on from this mark, acknowleding he's got few miles on the clock for a 5-y-o; raced stand side, mid-division, ridden after 3f out, soon beaten.

LOUIS THE PIOUS wasn't in same form as when pushing Glen Moss close at Haydock; raced stand side, mid-division, ridden soon after 3f out, weakened over 1f out; clearly nothing wrong with previous form and should bounce back.

FLYMAN hasn't been harshly done by with an 8-lb rise for Doncaster but wasn't in anything like same form with headgear left off back up in trip, even allowing for being on the wrong part of the track; raced far side, mid-division, off the bridle before most, beaten 2f out.

LOVING SPIRIT is best with cover in a big field, got neither in the disjointed far-side group here, (always behind), therefore better judged on previous form, overall record suggesting he'll bounce back quickly.

CAPTAIN RAMIUS (IRE) back up in trip, ran poorly, more to it than track position; raced far side, prominent, off the bridle long way out, beaten over 2f out.

DUBAWI SOUND ran poorly with hood left off, putting up no fight after going off too hard; raced stand side, led overall, headed 3f out, stopped quickly; blinkers don't look to have done anything for him.