HAYDOCK PARK 14:30

Non Runners: SPARK PLUG (IRE), BAYDAR.

Time: 2m 14.46s Closing Sectional: (3f): 39.55s (97.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 99.2%

A strong Group 3 on paper, less so in the event, because Frankuus took the race away from most with a dominant display, let have things his own way but making his break via some hard galloping, only one emerging from the pack to get anywhere near him, the rest all subdued to some extent.

FRANKUUS (IRE) has found new impetus for blinkers and front running the last twice, still smothered at the end at Hamilton by Defoe (who looks more and more a St Leger contender) but not for catching this time, courtesy of improvement on his thirteenth start, regular racing no barrier to breakthroughs with this yard; dominated from start to finish, increased the pressure over 3f out, broke all bar Mount Logan in the process, dug deep to hold off that one's late charge, the pair well clear by then.

MOUNT LOGAN (IRE) showed once and for all that he belongs in Group company, after fluffing his lines when tried last year, fully focused this time for a lifetime best, at double the age of the winner, doing well to reduce the gap as he did in the last 1f, leaving the pack behind.

LARAAIB (IRE) met with his first defeat, but it needn't spell the end of the progressive road, just the fourth race of his life and in a very different environment, looking comfortable for the most part (raced wide in mid-field) and threatening briefly when closing in over 2f out, flattening out, but third in this is probably more than a match for any of his wins.

EUGINIO (IRE) big effort in the context of his career (still young) and his position in the race, crowded out at a vital stage but pushing through it and sticking to the task so well that he almost caught the favourite for third, the first 2 long gone; he's reaping the benefit of the patient approach this year, likely to rate higher still.

GABRIAL (IRE) ridden to pick up any pieces, though he's held up anyway, more so over this trip, but it was a case of this far and no further after a move wide over 2f out, his standard slipping a bit lately, but he's had another busy campaign.

ARTHENUS more at home at listed level, as a brighter spot on his season at Newbury proved, but he actually finished closer than looked likely for much of the straight, flat out before most and last of all 2f out.

AUTOCRATIC must have had some setback to be missing since his breakthrough in the Brigadier Gerard, which came after a needy reappearance, similarly flat here, never involved from off the pace, better overlooked in favour of his overall career trajectory.

FRANCIS OF ASSISI (IRE) was in the mix 3f out, before excusably faltering, the absence telling, plus this trip is probably too sharp for him; he ended last year on a real high in Australia.

AYRAD (IRE) backward steps this season since an upbeat return at Royal Ascot, headgear back on for this and racing close up but finding little when asked, his career on the skids.

RESTORER stiff task, but has problems of his own judged on his last 2 starts, always behind here.

LARCHMONT LAD (IRE) not beaten for stamina over a new trip, just not himself (always behind), for the second time in a row, his season in danger of tapering off.