ASCOT 15:45 3w616h

Non Runners: CALEDONIA LADY.

Time: 58.85s

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 102%

No Australian or Far-Eastern representation for once but this year's Kings's Stand still brought together most of the main players in the division, among them the first 4 from last year plus a better-than-usual 3-y-o contingent, and, even with his 2 main rivals - namely Hot Streak and Shea Shea - failing to show their best form it still took a well up-to-scratch effort from Sole Power to win it for the second year running; the early pace wasn't frenetic by the usual standards of this race, contributing to a bunched finish in behind the winner and putting an even better spin on his last-to-first surge through the final 2f.

SOLE POWER who won this race last year, proved at least as good as ever to repeat the trick, value extra for the way he went about it, really impressive in ing the whole field inside the final quarter mile; dropped out, tanked along, still plenty to do 2f out, headway when switched approaching final 1f, quickened to lead inside final 100 yds, stayed on strongly; will continue to take the beating in the best 5f races, a good bet to make amends for some luckless efforts in the Nunthorpe/Abbaye since winning the former in 2010, though will reportedly have a crack at Saturday's Diamond Jubilee first, not much to lose by going there for all it's clear that this is his best trip.

STEPPER POINT excelled himself back in Britain having come up short in lesser Group races in the last twice, worth credit in full but probably seen to something approaching maximum effect; broke fast, disputed lead, ed over 1f out, headed inside final 1f, stuck to task to hold second.

HOT STREAK (IRE) wasn't disgraced on the one hand, a rare placing in this race for a 3-y-o, though on the other a bit underwhelming considering all the positives from Haydock, patently not in the same form despite strong market , never leaving the impression he was ever going to stamp his seal on things like he had that day, possibly taking more out of himself then than seemed the case at the time, or else not quite so effective under much firmer conditions; close up, went with typical zest, upsides over 1f out, but only able to summon the one pace, firmly held off for second by the line; it's still early days in sprint and he's well worth another chance to confirm himself the top-class sprinter he'd looked in the Temple.

MEDICEAN MAN confirmed every bit of the improvement he'd shown in Dubai earlier this year back from 12 weeks off, hitting the frame in this race for the second time; mid-division, pushed along 2f out, headway approaching final 1f, ran on.

AHTOUG wasn't disgraced for all he didn't run right up to the pick of the form he showed in Dubai earlier in the season, still putting up easily his best effort on these shores; close up, pushed along over 2f out, one paced.

STEPS (IRE) remains in good form and might have finished closer under different circumstances, not helped by getting squeezed out early, though there was an element of struggling to go the pace on his first try at this level; bumped start, held up, off the bridle before most, still plenty to do after 2f out, switched approaching final 1f, stayed on, never nearer.

JACK DEXTER ran respectably back on firmer ground than suits ideally, not far below the form he showed when fourth in this in 2013; in touch, ridden over 2f out, not quicken.

TAKE COVER generally makes it count on the few occasions he makes it to the track and produced a career best up in grade after 7 months off, essentially not good enough from a better position than plenty but showing form that's sure to see him competitive at listed/minor pattern level; helped force pace, ridden 2f out, no extra final 1f.

ES QUE LOVE (IRE) was below form with cheekpieces tried back down in trip, maybe not helped by racing in the slightly isolated group of 3 nearest the stand side; raced wide, mid-division, challenged 2f out, edged right, weakened final 1f.

PEARL SECRET showed what he can do when he puts his mind to it in the Temple but not for the first time blew his chance by pulling, also back on firmer ground; mid-division, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, faded final 1f.

SHEA SHEA (SAF) is closely matched with Sole Power at his best (beaten a neck in this last season) but just wasn't himself back from 12 weeks off, blowing the start and never threatening any serious headway from mid-division; he'll surely bonce back quickly.

GREEN DOOR (IRE) without usual headgear, faced a stiff task in this grade, more so because it was his first outing for 8 months off; missed the break, brief headway 2f out, made no impression; his win in the Flying Childers last season is very much a standout on his overall record.

JUSTICE DAY (IRE) back down in trip, wasn't up to the task; close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final 1f.

ANCIL (USA) no better than useful in the US, was out of depth; handy, ridden halfway, soon beaten.

REX IMPERATOR back in headgear, best not judged on this run, getting little cover in the isolated near-side group; raced wide, held up, pulled hard, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten.

GUERRE (USA) ran poorly, maybe just not up to the task at this early stage of his development, though still with time very much on his side; raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten.