HAYDOCK PARK 15:30 216g5q

Non Runners: GREAT AMBASSADOR, BRAD THE BRIEF, KINROSS, UMM KULTHUM (IRE), CASTLE STAR (IRE).

Time: 1m 9.02s Closing Sectional: (3f): 33.9s (101.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 98%

With no outstanding performer in the domestic sprint division, this had the look of an open Sprint Cup, though in the end proved anything but, Minzaal blowing the race apart when taking over approaching the final 1f recording a high-class, career-best effort that is backed up by the timefigure, even if it's not quite the track record performance initially reported, the official time taken by hand, a failure in the electrical equipment in such a high profile race unfortunate to say the least; the gallop was a sound one, only Flaming Rib of those in the front rank hanging around towards the finish.

MINZAAL (IRE) runner-up to the subsequent Nunthorpe winner at Deauville last time, in a race that didn’t really play to his strengths, showed much more of what he was about here, producing a career-best performance faced with such quick conditions for the first time for a trainer who’s had a really good season from a much-reduced string; mid-field, travelled smoothly, headway 2f out, led approaching final 1f, forged clear; he was initially reported to have returned quite jarred up and was subsequently retired after found to have suffered a slab fracture to a knee.

EMARAATY ANA last year’s winner, followed the same path this time around, placed in the Nunthorpe and getting ideal conditions for a repeat here, though simply had no answer when the winner swept past, far from disgraced in finishing second to that one, another tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint likely on the cards next; in touch, led briefly over 1f out, headed soon after, left behind by winner final 1f.

ROHAAN (IRE) not too far behind the winner on a couple of occasions this season, appreciated dropping back to a soundly-run 6f and picked up in willing fashion late on having typically been nearer last than first, though was unable to make any real impression on his old rival; bumped start, in rear, headway over 1f out, edged left, kept on.

FLAMING RIB (IRE) after 8 weeks off, did best of the 3-y-os and also deserves plenty of credit for doing best of those ridden close up, the 3 ahead of him all coming from further back; tracked pace, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, edged left, weakened last ½f.

CHIL CHIL in first-time tongue strap, didn't run as well as when third in this last year, though was a little isolated on the near-side wing, travelling almost as well as the winner but not really picking up when asked; mid-field, travelled fluently, ridden over 1f out, not quicken; she's in the Ayr Gold Cup but would have no easy task as one of the top weights there.

HARRY THREE not disgraced in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time (less than 3 lengths behind Minzaal), couldn't match that form here, picking up some late pieces but never threatening to get seriously involved; raced wide, in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final 1f, never nearer.

GO BEARS GO (IRE) not far behind the winner when runner-up in the Hackwood at Newbury a couple of starts ago, was well below that form this time, only part-mitigation that he was up with the sound pace; led early then remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

ART POWER (IRE) had looked one of the leading contenders with a pipe-opener over further at York under his belt, though found things going against him from the off, a stumble at the start not helping matters, then a bit too free on the front-end, probably best not judged too harshly on this; soon led, raced freely, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

KHAADEM (IRE) was a long way below form with no obvious excuses, though is prone to throwing in the odd stinker; raced off the pace, not settle fully, ridden 2f out, made no impression.

HALA HALA ATHMANI had plenty to find on form after 8 weeks off and was simply out of her depth; dwelt, raced off the pace, ridden under 2f out, never landed a blow.

NAVAL CROWN set the standard on his Platinum Jubilee and July Cup performances but ran poorly, his finishing effort tame enough to suggest all was not well; chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left, weakened over 1f out.

DUBAWI LEGEND (IRE) backing up just 6 days after his win in a German Group 3, had a bit to find on form but ran poorly nonetheless, possible this just came too soon; dwelt, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten.