NEWBURY 15:35 172v1j

Non Runners: THREAT (IRE).

Time: 1m 24.35s Closing Sectional: (4f): 47.25s (102%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 100.2%

One of the top 7f races in the calendar in Britain, falling between the Lennox and the City of York Stakes, with the Park Stakes not far behind, this suffering in comparison to the Lennox for depth of field, though it saw a stunning performance from the favourite, even if it's hard to believe, given how much racing he's had, that he's suddenly found the best part of a stone improvement, despite everything being perfect for him to show all he has, the return to 7f for the first time in nearly 2 years also a reason why he might have improved, a more cautious view of the form surely the wiser course, until he backs it up, that he and the runner-up, giving him a lead, raced apart from the rest of the field also potentially a factor, given they had clearly the best form chances.

DREAM OF DREAMS (IRE) back at 7f for the first time in nearly 2 years, produced the performance of his career, down in grade after contesting Group 1 races on his last 5 starts, a class better than most of these and the race set up for him, everything in place for him to show to best advantage, likely that he isn't quite so good as the bare form might imply; raced far side, tracked pace, tanked along, led over 2f out, went clear soon after, stayed on strongly final 1f, impressive.

BREATHTAKING LOOK in first-time tongue strap and on softer ground than she usually races on, was firmly put in her place by the winner, and paid for forcing the pace in the end, even though she still beat the rest convincingly; raced far side, led, travelled well, headed over 2f out, left behind by winner soon after, stayed on.

SYMBOLIZE (IRE) turned the tables on Surf Dancer from York in no uncertain , though he was still below his best, essentially outclassed at this level; held up, pushed along 3f out, took third 1f out, kept on, never on .

NAMOS (GER) ought to have benefited from the return to 7f at least, but he was some way below form, in trouble a fair way out; held up, labouring over 2f out.

GLORIOUS JOURNEY ran even worse than he had in the Lennox, never looking likely to get involved; held up, effort under 3f out, left behind soon after.

PIERRE LAPIN (IRE) continues to struggle for form, not quite so headstrong as last time, but not running much of a race all the same; in touch, not settle fully, shaken up over 3f out, weakened over 2f out.

SURF DANCER (IRE) disappointed, up in grade, connections blaming the ground, which was certainly softer than that on which he'd shown improvement this year; tracked pace, shaken up under 3f out, left behind soon after.

LINCOLN BRIGHT (IRE) was well held, out of his depth and going faster than desirable too; led main group, raced freely, weakened quickly 3f out.

HISTORY WRITER (IRE) ran no sort of race, lack of application a problem, something to prove after his last 2 runs, despite the stiffness of his task; slowly into stride, raced indolently, always behind.