NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:15

Non Runners: PENITENT, AROD (IRE).

Time: 1m 35.66s

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A much more open, competitive renewal of the Joel Stakes than that won by Soft Falling Rain 12 months ago, the likes of Tullius and Outstrip dropping back from Group 1 company, whilst Captain Cat, Custom Cut and Wannabe Yours all arrived in the form of their lives after Group 3 wins, and there were plenty of other proven pattern horses too; as such it took plenty of winning and Custom Cut put up one the best performances in this race in recent times, doing it from the front, but not at an advantage, setting a fair pace.

CUSTOM CUT (IRE) is one of the success stories of the year, a credit to David O'Meara, continuing his remarkable winning run (now 5 on the spin) with yet another career-best performance too see off what was a strong Group 2 field, going about in his usual manner, positively ridden and responding generously to pressure, and he's fast become just about the most straightforward and likeable horse in training; made all, tackled over 1f out, stayed on strongly, still powering away from Captain Cat at the line, the stiff finish suiting his style; he's verging on high class after this and will surely be given a try in Group 1 company having gradually worked his way through the ranks.

CAPTAIN CAT (IRE) has made great strides himself this year and continues in good heart, not right at his best this day, rather letting himself down with his finishing effort in a race in which he had to work harder, underlining his downfall perhaps, but it was still a sound run to be placed in another Group 2; waited with, travelled smoothly, good headway over 1f out, hung badly right before chasing leader well inside final 1f, one paced as Custom Cut forged clear; he's stood more racing and held his form well this year and will continue to make his presence felt at this sort of level.

HORS DE COMBAT could easily be excused his run in the Celebration Mile and wasted no time getting back to form, backing up the improvement he'd shown when making the breakthrough as a pattern performer at Glorious Goodwood; mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, stuck to task to grab third late on.

TULLIUS (IRE) was easy to back and probably needed the run after 3 months off, in preparation for a return to Group 1 company on Champion's Day; chased leaders, driven over 1f out, edged right, one paced.

PRODUCER falls a little short at this level but is generally consistent and typically gave his running; dropped out, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching final 1f, effort flattened out.

CABLE BAY (IRE) looks on the way back, this easily his best effort since returning from injury, and could be placed to advantage so long as he's not aimed too high; chased leaders, edged left over 1f out, left behind soon after.

ANJAAL wasn't disgraced but didn't have an excuse like last time, breaking on terms, and he hasn't built on a good run in the Lennox; held up, took keen hold, effort 2f out, never a threat.

OUTSTRIP easy to put a line through this run; mid-field, ridden when short of room 2f out, no extra well inside final 1f, not knocked about.

OCEAN TEMPEST again ran below form and doesn't look likely to be repeating his big Chester performance anytime soon, everything set up perfectly that day; prominent, lost place 2f out, no further impression.

PROFESSOR continues below form; held up, struggling over 2f out, never on terms.

WANNABE YOURS (IRE) is better judged on previous form for the time being, a better horse than Hors De Combat based on Goodwood, and though he was held when hampered inside the final 1f he would obviously have finished closer, eased off after that trouble.

MASTER CARPENTER (IRE) ran one of poorer races of season; mid-division, lost place 2f out, no extra.