ASCOT 14:00 95i45

All 18 ran.

Time: 1m 15.57s

Overrounds: Industry SP 125%, Betfair SP 100.2%

Hardly the season-defining championship event it's hoped a race like this would be, perhaps symptomatic of the sprinters in general, but 4 of the winners of the 6 other Group 1 sprints run in the UK were missing, while the 2 C&D winners from Royal Ascot, Perfect Power and Naval Crown have allowed their standards to slip since, and though there's no denying Kinross was a worthy winner, the level he ran to see still sees him rated behind the likes of Nature Strip and Minzaal as well as Alcohol Free and Highfield Princess once their sex allowance is factored in; the race itself unfolded in a less-than-ideal manner too, the field splitting with those drawn 13-18 and Perfect Power coming down the middle at an advantage, connections of Rohaan and perhaps Tenebrism, whose rider forefeited a good draw, entitled to wonder what might have been on a level playing field.

KINROSS might not have had to improve his rating to double his tally at the highest level just a fortnight on from his win in the Foret, rerouted here as opposed to straight to the Breeders' Cup given sufficient ease underfoot, but emerges with his reputation enhanced all the same, a very smart and reliable performer that is also proving durable and versatile; chased leaders, travelled well, quickened to lead over 1f out, well on top finish; he's a credit to connections and is well worth a shot at the Breeders' Cup if connections go down that route, also something to look forward to seeing back in 2023 given he's a gelding.

RUN TO FREEDOM seemed to excel himself to finish second at long odds, and while his position ahead of some is probably flattering, this sort of rating is perfectly plausible, given the form of his win in listed company at Windsor and fourth behind Rohaan over C&D in the Bengough last time; mid-field, not settle fully, ridden over 2f out, ran on.

CREATIVE FORCE (IRE) won this last year and finished ahead of the winner when runner-up in the Platinum Jubilee but he'd been off since running just respectably in the July Cup and could run to only a similar level here, the time off possibly more a hindrance than a help; chased leader, pushed along 2f out, kept on; he's fresh enough for a campaign abroad but is another who ought to be back next year too.

ROHAAN (IRE) is ideally suited by this sort of test and ran a cracker, needing only better fortune to show as much, likely to have been a good second at worst on a level playing field; dropped out, good headway from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, first home in group; he reportedly could go abroad next spring, but his early-season aims will presumably be built around a Royal Ascot hat-trick, though surely it will be the Platinum Jubilee rather than the Wokingham on his agenda this time.

TENEBRISM (USA) has spent all year at 7f/1m and quickly put a (forgiveable) below-par effort in the Foret behind her back sprinting for the first time since the Cheveley Park, shaping well to be second home on the far side; mid-field, pushed along soon after halfway, headway under 2f out, led group over 1f out, ed by Rohaan final 100 yds, no extra only late on; as a Group 1 winner at 2 and 3, she's already done more than enough to cement her position as a valuable broodmare, but there'd be unfinished business with her at this trip if she was kept in training for 2023.

VADREAM back in headgear, turned in her best effort of the season, though was seen to good effect having been towed along in the favoured group; slowly into stride, patiently ridden, pushed along soon after halfway, ran on.

PERFECT POWER (IRE) back on softer than good for the first time this year, has gone the wrong way since Royal Ascot, beaten favourite in both the July Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest since and fared no better here after 9 weeks off, again seeming rather laboured; mid-field, pushed along halfway, one paced; some headgear might be worth a try if he races on, but he's presumably more likely to head to stud now.

ART POWER (IRE) had little luck with the draw in this race for a second year in succession, but ran no better than respectably on this occasion anyway, this track/ground combination perhaps a bit more of a test than ideal for him in truth; close up, pushed along soon after halfway, weakened inside final 1f.

GO BEARS GO (IRE) wasn't disgraced after 6 weeks off, doing the donkey work on the far side, just not up to this level in open company; led group, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, edged right, weakened final 100 yds.

KING'S LYNN went backwards from his return from a break here at the start of the month, his track position a secondary issue, though in truth he's probably just not up to this standard; held up, took strong hold, pushed along 2f out, one paced.

FRESH was an ambitious runner at this level straight out of handicaps and acquited himself fairly well, shaping as if back in form with him not being seen to best effect; held up, headway over 2f out, keeping on when hampered over 1f out, not recover; he's not done him mark any harm and will remain of interest in the top handicaps this season and next.

NAVAL CROWN is a match for the principals on his best form, as he's shown twice this year previously, but he's rather gone off the boil and again ran below form after 6 weeks off; led group, headed over 1f out, weakened approaching final 1f.

VENTURA DIAMOND (IRE) was out of her depth; chased leaders, ridden soon after halfway.

BRAD THE BRIEF looked worth a try at this level, his best form not leaving him with a great deal to find but he was easy to back and looked rusty after 5 months off (missed options in August/September because of fast ground); prominent, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 1f out.

DOUBLE OR BUBBLE (IRE) isn't up to this level, as shown in the Platinum Jubilee and July Cup, but underperformed in any case; mid-field, pushed along soon after halfway, weakened over 1f out.

GULLIVER had no chance at the weights at this level; held up, ridden from halfway, made no impression.

GARRUS (IRE) perhaps isn't so good as a literal reading of a muddling Maurice de Gheest makes him look but he was well held after 9 weeks off anyway; held up, ridden before halfway, left behind over 1f out.

CASTLE STAR (IRE) ran poorly; dwelt, held up, pushed along soon after halfway, left behind under 2f out.