HAYDOCK PARK 14:25

Non Runners: SPIRIT OF VALOR (USA).

Time: 1m 13.9s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.25s (104.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.8%

It's been a vintage year for sprinters and, if the pecking order amongst the top 6f horses was still in doubt coming into this, Harry Angel proved without question that he's the best around at this distance with a top-class effort; the early gallop wasn't that strong and there was almost certainly some sort of advantage in racing handily, The Tin Man better than the result in third, but such was Harry Angel's margin of victory that he'd have been a decisive winner however it'd have been run.

HARRY ANGEL (IRE) followed up from the July Cup in even better style, and that despite his participation being in doubt until fairly late in the day on account of the very testing ground, putting up a top-notch performance and clearly a colt that's still getting better, in a different league to these even though at Newmarket he was again well placed the way it developed, the early gallop far from breakneck for a Group 1 sprint; disputed lead, typically travelled strongly, drew clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, ridden out; he's clearly the one to beat in the Champions Sprint, especially now we know testing ground holds no terrors for him.

TASLEET after 8 weeks off, goes well on ground softer than good and returned to form, beating the rest decisively but just no match for a top-notch 6f performer; tracked pace, shaken up under 2f out, stayed on, no match for winner; he'll probably have underfoot conditions in his favour if he goes for the Champions Sprint, but it's very hard to see him turning the tables on the winner.

THE TIN MAN after 8 weeks off, wasn't seen to best effect for the second outing in succession, left poorly placed the way it developed, and this shouldn't be held against him when assessing his chance for a repeat bid in the Champions Sprint, though he's clearly no match for an on-song Harry Angel; held up, headway 2f out, kept on, never landed a blow.

BLUE POINT (IRE) was below form after 11 weeks off, seeming unsuited by conditions, better judged on his Commonwealth Cup form; disputed lead, shaken up under 2f out, not quicken soon after, no extra final 1f.

COUGAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) is better judged on previous form, lots of evidence that he's not really up to this level of competition and yet to prove himself on ground this testing, too; patiently ridden, shaken up over 2f out, one paced.

MR LUPTON (IRE) was fifth in this last year but he's basically not good enough to be making his presence felt at the highest level and hasn't been at his very best in recent starts, anyway, no surprise he was unable to make much of an impact; patiently ridden, effort 2f out, not quicken soon after.

GROWL was beaten a whole lot further by Harry Angel than when sixth in a muddling July Cup, not getting the end-to-end gallop that suits here but simply not as good as those who filled the frame, anyway; mid-field, ridden 2f out, left behind soon after.

KIMBERELLA who's being kept busy, was operating a bit out of his pay grade and not up to the task, probably not firing on all cylindrs at the minute, anyway; patiently ridden, shaken up 2f out, made no impression.

BRANDO was entitled to be thereabouts on the pick of his form but proved surprisingly easy to back on the day considering his record on testing ground and disappointed, not the only one to bomb out who'd contested the Maurice de Gheest last time out; held up, ridden 2f out, no response.

QUEEN KINDLY was flying too high in this grade though it's possible she was unsuited by conditions, anyway, raced solely on good going or firmer previously; tracked pace, raced freely, dropped away from 2f out.

MAGICAL MEMORY (IRE) is prone to the odd stinker, this being a good example, proven under the conditions, too; tracked pace, folded from 2f out.