NEWMARKET (JULY) 15:15

All 8 ran.

Time: 2m 29s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.1s (106.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 100.9%

This looked a good renewal of the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on paper, half the field having tasted success at this level or higher, the unbeaten Mahsoob graduating from handicaps to provide another dimension, and it is best to focus on the positives despite a surprise result, Big Orange rated an above-average winner, it remiss to detract too much from his performance acknowledging he was given a well-judged ride from the front, the 4-y-o battling back in determined fashion to prevail, excuses for those beaten hard to find on the day.

BIG ORANGE arrived with questions to answer, both in terms of the drop back in trip and overall well-being, but he answered them in no uncertain terms, this a career-best performance, the first-time cheekpieces a contributory factor, worth viewing favourably for all he had the benefit of a sound tactical ride, Spencer soon having him bowling along at the head of affairs, asking his mount to stretch 3f out, the response not immediate - as befits a horse who has been plying his trade over further - but he knuckled down well when tackled, rallying gamely up the hill, reasserting despite drifting left deep inside the final 1f; as a Group 2 winner he may not be the easiest to place from now on, but he is a big horse with plenty of scope and so it is not inconceivable he may have more to offer, especially back over staying distances.

SECOND STEP (IRE) kept fresh following his win in the Jockey Club Stakes at the Guineas meeting, ran a fine race in defeat, just finding one too strong attempting to concede weight all round, this a horse with plenty of options in the months ahead, his form warranting him a crack at the highest level, whilst he remains one who is likely to stay beyond 1½m if afforded the opportunity; in touch, he made headway over 1f out, racing slightly apart from both the winner and the third who challenged more towards the stand side, sticking to his task under pressure though was always just being held close home.

GOSPEL CHOIR was being turned out quickly given he only returned to the track following a lengthy absence 12 days previously, but he showed no ill effects whatsoever, building on the form of that listed success, back to his best in fact, going close to providing his trainer with a remarkable tenth win in this particular race; prominent, asked for effort over 2f out, came through to hold every chance over 1f out, possibly even inching into a narrow lead, locked in battle then, Big Orange just pulling out more late on, the pair edging left under pressure.

AYRAD (IRE) acquitted himself with credit, this much tougher than the listed contest he took at Goodwood 7 weeks earlier, success in the lower echelons of pattern company not beyond him; chased leader, ridden under 3f out, one paced.

HILLSTAR stepped up on his reappearance without getting back to the peak of his powers (runner-up 12 months ago), his trainer perhaps playing the long-term game this season, building towards autumn targets and a defence of his Canadian International crown in October; mid-division, headway over 1f out, one paced last ½f.

MAHSOOB suffered the first defeat of his career, a quite comprehensive one at that, unable to make the leap from handicaps, it easy to attach blame to a lack of stamina moving up in trip, though given how he had shaped previously there may have been other factors at play, perhaps feeling the effects of an intense first half of the season, his 3 victories achieved in hard fought fashion, his 2 previous campaigns restricted to just the 1 outing after all, though whatever the reason it would be a surprise were this anything more than a brief setback; waited with, went with enthusiasm, crept closer halfway, shaken up over 2f out, found less than looked likely.

NICEOFYOUTOTELLME essentially ran as well as he was entitled to on the figures, not up to this level of competition, the race inconclusive with regards his stamina for 1½m; in rear, not settle fully, ridden over 2f out, made no impression.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD hadn't been at his best in either the Coronation Cup or Hardwicke Stakes, but this was a rare flat-out disappointing effort (had attracted market support); dwelt, in rear, crept closer halfway, weakened approaching 2f out.