NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:35 4u6s2p

Non Runners: DANCING GEMINI (IRE), LEAD ARTIST.

Time: 1m 40.53s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.4s (103.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 99.3%

A small field and a messy race, nobody keen to lead early and the field all pulling, the key moment coming when the winner was moved to a share of the lead after 3f, Prague dominating the latter stages, the form not easy to weigh up, though a relatively cautious view of the form, given the circumstances, seems best; the field came stand side.

PRAGUE (IRE) has been the bargain buy of the season, a 10,000-guinea throwout unraced from Ballydoyle, and found further improvement up again in grade, even if he was possibly the only one to fully give their running; slowly into stride, held up, not settle fully, headway after 3f, upsides soon after, went on over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well, well on top finish; he isn't in the QEII, but may well be supplemented, worth a crack at the best, even if a bit more will be required.

POKER FACE (IRE) was no match for the winner in the last 2f, but ran another solid race, runner-up at this level for the second time in his last 3 starts; led, raced freely, ed before halfway, headed over 2f out, not quicken.

TASK FORCE ran respectably, though paid for being typically keen in the early stages by fading late on, more to come potentially if he becomes more tractable and physically the sort who could make a better 4-y-o; steadied at the start, tracked pace, not settle fully, effort over 2f out, not quicken, weakened inside final 1f.

ICE MAX ran poorly, a failure to settle and then getting outpaced when the tempo lifted elements in that, though probably not the whole story; slowly into stride, waited with, raced freely, shaken up over 3f out, outpaced, dropped away after 2f out.