ASCOT 16:20

All 6 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +10 yds

Time: 2m 11.38s Closing Sectional: (2f): 25.3s (103.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.9%

A substandard Group 1 overall, all the more so with the hot favourite A Shin Hikari not firing, the race a tactical one, which developed into a test of which horse could quicken best on soft ground, the first 2 proving the most able under the circumstances, the winner's performance a shade below what would normally be required to land this prize.

MY DREAM BOAT (IRE) proved better than ever, even if slightly fortunate to find a race at this level, the way the race unfolded suiting him too, his turn of foot decisive, though making his move away from the runner-up (as much by accident as design) probably helped as well, giving her little to respond to; held up, travelled well, shaken up over 2f out, hung left, stayed on to lead final 50 yds; likely to find things tougher in further races at this level, though the Champion Stakes, particularly on soft ground, is likely to be one of the better options.

FOUND (IRE) back down in trip, ran up to best, getting first run on the winner, but not helped by racing remote from him when it came to the finish, perhaps able to find more if she'd been challenged close at hand; waited with, headway early in straight, led under 2f out, quickened clear, ridden final 1f, headed final 50 yds; this was her best effort of the year, though there are likely to be even tougher clashes to come.

WESTERN HYMN ran creditably, placed yet again, third as he was in this 12 months previously, his merit well established as short of what's required to win at this level; tracked pace, shaken up straight, typically carried head bit awkwardly but every chance under 2f out, not quicken.

THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) unproven on the ground, wasn't disgraced after 9 months off, the run of the race not the sort to bring out the very best in him either; handy, shaken up straight, every chance under 2f out, not quicken; he ran about his best race when second in the Eclipse last year and is likely to show to better advantage if taking his chance in the latest running next month.

TRYSTER (IRE) wasn't disgraced after 12 weeks off, the race run to suit but he'd never previously encountered ground softer than good and it negated his superb finishing kick; held up, shaken up straight, hung slightly left but also carried that way as the winner manoeuvred out, not quicken, plugged on.

A SHIN HIKARI (JPN) was a sorry disappointment, perhaps his race having been left at Chantilly, this a second run after a long journey from his home, seeming in control of a steadily-run race but having nothing of the finishing kick that he showed last time; dictated but not settle fully, shaken up straight, headed after 2f out, not quicken.