NEWBURY 15:25 405fv

All 8 ran.

Time: 1m 9.7s Closing Sectional: (4f): 44.9s (103.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 101.5%

One of the stronger recent renewals of the Mill Reef, the winner producing a performance as good as any in the race in the last decade, quoted as short as 16/1 afterwards for the Two Thousand Guineas, though he looks much more a sprinter than a miler, for all that he's by the same sire as his stable's Sussex Stakes winner Mohaather, his performance worth marking up given that he came from off the pace, with the wind helping prominent racers all day.

ALKUMAIT after 7 weeks off, showed much improved form, looking a candidate for high honours next summer, the Commonwealth Cup looking a more suitable target than the Guineas at this stage, though there's the opportunity to gain plenty of further evidence, connections very keen on trying him at 7f, the Dewhurst under consideration (for which he'd need to be supplemented) or something like the Greenham next year should connections decide to draw stumps; held up, smooth headway 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, wandered, kept on, had bit in hand; already one of the best 2-y-os seen so far, he is likely to progress further, an able deputy for Mohaather at the top level for the stable after that one's injury-enforced retirement.

FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (IRE) , like the winner, showed much improved form up in grade, better positioned than that rival but not quite so speedy; tracked pace, went with zest, pushed along 2f out, not quicken, chased leader final 1f, ran on; will stay at least 7f; remains with potential, the Horris Hill here next month perhaps an option next.

RHYTHM MASTER (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, coming from a similar position to the winner, but not able to overcome the positional bias to anything like the same extent; held up, headway over 1f out, took third final 1f, never on .

FIRST EDITION (IRE) over 1f longer trip, ran well upped in grade, just outclassed in the closing stages having had the run of things; led, pushed along 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra.

BAHRAIN PRIDE didn't make the sort of improvement expected for the step up in class, perhaps ideally served by easier ground; in touch, not settle fully, effort over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, not quicken.

CAIRN GORM ran about as well as could be expected, just not up to this level; prominent, shaken up halfway, weakened over 1f out.

DEVILWALA (IRE) failed to confirm his previous form, the Gimcrack not having worked out that well so far; waited with, effort over 2f out, no extra over 1f out.

LINE OF DEPARTURE (IRE) was essentially found out in better company; in touch, shaken up 3f out, one pace when hampered 2f out.