ASCOT 15:40

All 18 ran.

Time: 1m 12.05s Closing Sectional: (2f): 23.06s (104.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 102.5%

A superb culmination to the enhanced 3-y-o sprint programme, a race unusually granted Group 1 status in its inaugural year, but worthy of it, given the depth to the sizeable field, with runners from France and the USA as well as Britain and Ireland, the whole series having proved a success, even if there may be some disappointment that the winner was having his first outing in one of the races after following a more conventional route of classic trial and classic before dropping back in trip; a strong pace looked sure beforehand, but it never really materialised among the near-side runners, both Tiggy Wiggy and Hootenanny nowhere near their best, and instead the best pace was towards the far side, a disadvantage for the second and fifth, perhaps the third as well, among the first 8, though such was the winner's superiority that they were in no way unlucky.

MUHAARAR back down in trip, took his form to a significantly higher level, verging on top class and a threat to all in this division, in Europe at least; waited with, travelled well, switched 2f out, headway soon after, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, well on top finish; he'd have made the older sprinters think had he contested the Diamond Jubilee and will be a big threat to them in good races to come over 6f/7f, with the July Cup, Maurice de Gheest and Foret presumably among the options.

LIMATO (IRE) wasn't at his very best but emerged with plenty of credit, beaten only by one who looks potentially top class in this division, a shade better than the result, given where he raced; held up towards stand side, effort over 2f out, kept on well final 1f, no match for winner; he isn't the biggest but he's clearly trained on well and will continue to give a good account.

ANTHEM ALEXANDER (IRE) ran creditably and looks to have made the transition from good 2-y-o to top sprinting division, a shade better than the result, given that she ended up with the second and fifth, making her move to some extent away from the pace; waited with, travelled well, effort 2f out, kept on well inside final 1f, nearest at the finish; likely to go well again.

SALT ISLAND delivered the sort of performance that seemed in him on his first 2 starts this year, the return to firmer ground in his favour, though everything went ideally for him and he was essentially beaten fair and square; waited with, travelled well, effort over 2f out, led after 2f out, headed soon after, not quicken final 1f.

PROFITABLE (IRE) ran well, continuing his good season, all the more so as he was drawn widest of all, away from the pace, the step up to 6f claerly no issue; waited with, travelled well, effort after 2f out, stayed on, not quicken well inside final 1f.

HOME OF THE BRAVE (IRE) down in trip, ran respectably, coping well with the switch to sprinting but vulnerable to those more patiently ridden the way the race developed; close up, every chance after 2f out, no extra final 1f; may yet do better if kept to this trip.

ADAAY (IRE) wasn't disgraced, though ought to have done better the way the race developed, keeping on at the finish, but nowhere near so strongly as he had when winning his 2 previous starts; held up, effort 2f out, kept on final 1f, never on terms.

GOKEN (FR) wasn't disgraced, a combination of forcing the pace and lack of ability at this level finding him out in the latter stages; led until after 2f out, no extra final 1f.

TENDU had shown a lot of potential on her first 2 starts but failed to deliver on it at the highest level, calmer than is sometimes the case beforehand but again losing ground at the start and leaving the impression her temperament may yet get the better of her; awkward leaving stalls and flashed tail, in rear, travelled well, steady headway around halfway, shaken up 2f out, made little impression.

KOOL KOMPANY (IRE) didn't really cope with the drop back down in trip and ran below form; held up, pushed along halfway, made no impression.

HOOTENANNY (USA) strong in betting, disappointed in first-time tongue strap, not asked to force the pace in the way that he had when winning the Windsor Castle in such style in 2014; chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon beaten; he was physically well ahead of his rivals as a 2-y-o and perhaps no longer has such an advantage, questions to answer now.

EL VALLE (FR) on firmer ground than previously, was below form after 9 weeks off, never threatening to land a blow, up in class; in rear most of way, never on terms.

NEW PROVIDENCE was below form, essentially not good enough, but perhaps a bit closer to the pace than ideal; chased leaders, weakened over 1f out.

CYCLOGENISIS (USA) had shown a lot of promise in winning his 3 starts in the States, but this was a different kettle of fish and he was ultimately well held; prominent, ridden after halfway, weakened over 1f out.

AHLAN EMARATI (IRE) was flying too high in this grade and finished well held; always behind.

TIGGY WIGGY (IRE) seemed sure to benefit from the return to sprinting but just wasn't herself for whatever reason, worked up in the pre-parade ring (didn't come in the paddock and trainer rightly fined), never seeming at ease; chased leaders, weakened 2f out, hung right and looked awkward, eased inside final 1f; has questions to answer and may well be hard to get her back to her best.

PASTORAL GIRL back down in trip, was again out of depth; waited with, labouring halfway.

JUNGLE CAT (IRE) ran no sort of race after 5 weeks off, his record for his new yard one of one good run and 2 stinkers; soon behind, tailed off.