ASCOT 15:50

Non Runners: FLINTSHIRE, THE CORSICAN (IRE), GOLDEN HORN. Race Distance Adjustment: +12 yds

Time: 2m 31.25s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.32s (95.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 103%

The absence of Golden Horn, withdrawn on the day due to concerns about soft ground, deprived the race of its one proven top-class performer, Group 1 regular Flintshire also absent for the same reason, and left an inevitably substandard field for the mid-season middle-distance championship, lacking any challengers from France or Ireland and any of the season's excellent crop of 3-y-os, the form shown by the first 2 a shade below the level achieved by recent winners of this race, the irony of Postponed's victory that he had been widely expected to be a withdrawal due to the perceived unsuitability of the ground, but was allowed to take his chance; for all the disappointment of Golden Horn's absence, it was, though, a cracking race, made a thorough test of stamina at the trip, thanks to the pace set by Romsdal, who looked to have set the race up for his stable companion Eagle Top, coming from the back, only for the winner - a true son of Dubawi - to show the utmost gameness to prevail in a thrilling finish.

POSTPONED (IRE) proved better than ever, coping well with softer ground and overcoming being close to the strong pace, showing a most willing attitude to get back up on the line; tracked pace, travelled well, led 2f out, stayed on strongly, headed final 100 yds, led again post, gave all; this may be the pinnacle of his career, clearly well served by the emphasis on stamina, the Arc obviously now on the agenda, a more plausible contender than the runner-up, though still likely to need to find more to figure.

EAGLE TOP had gained his notable victory in the Edward VII last summer, coming from the rear off a strong pace, and he stepped up on even that effort in a very similar type of race here, no surprise on pedigree that he also coped well with softer ground than he'd mainly previously raced on; held up, travelled well, headway early in straight, found plenty to lead final 100 yds, headed post; clearly high class under the right circumstances, though will rarely get such emphasis on stamina in the top races at this trip (against stronger opposition too) and could well be worth thinking about longer distances with him, the 2016 Gold Cup a long-term target, perhaps the Long Distance Cup on Champions day an option this year, though the Arc is said to be the plan, which seems optimistic.

ROMSDAL after 10 weeks off, ran well upped in grade, ridden to ensure it was the sort of stamina test that played to his strengths, with the happy bonus of suiting his stable companion too, just coming up short at this trip and level; led, ridden straight, headed 2f out, not quicken; his best chance of a win at Group 1 level would be over further, the Irish St Leger and Prix Royal Oak obvious options.

MADAME CHIANG back up in trip, ran respectably after 10 weeks off, unable to make much impact in the straight, despite a race that ought to have played to her strengths; in touch, ridden straight, not quicken over 2f out, edged right; will presumably have a follow-up bid the Fillies And Mares Stakes on Champions day as her target, that likely to be a less demanding race at this level.

CLEVER COOKIE had been gambled on once rain appeared likely to reduce the quality of the field, but, even so, he was found out in better company down in trip, after 8 weeks off, this an insufficient test in this company, even off a good pace; in rear, off the bridle long way out, stayed on after 2f out, nearest at the finish; a likeable sort and may yet have more to offer back over staying distances.

SNOW SKY had beaten the first 2 under a good tactical ride in a very different type of race for the Hardwicke Stakes and clearly disappointed, just not in the same form, even though a greater emphasis on stamina might have been expected to suit him just as much as the first 2; chased leader, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, weakened after 2f out.

DYLAN MOUTH (IRE) who sweated up beforehand, was below form after 6 weeks off, unbeaten in Italy but not seen at his best on either start at this track; waited with, pushed along over 4f out, left behind straight.