Expert Analysis

The ground was more like “good to soft” on this, the third day of the Chester May Meeting, than the soft and heavy which preceded it, and this was a race that went very much to form without being all that strong for a Group 2. The pace was a sound one (final 2f finishing speed around 99.5%) but the overall time was underwhelming compared to the slightly faster handicap that came before.

POINT LONSDALE (113 here and previously) landed the odds but not without some worries along the way, pushed along leaving his stall, soon disputing the lead or a close second, but driven vigorously by halfway, eventually responding to lead under pressure approaching the final 1f, edging right and all out to hold on. It seemed laziness on his behalf, and maybe connections will consider headgear, though, as a brother to Broome, he is also likely to be at least as much at home at 12f. This was a smart effort, but he is likely to need to do more if tackling Group 1s.

MUJTABA (112+ here and previously) ran creditably and may still have some progress in him, lacking a little sharpness on what was his first outing since trotting up in a useful handicap at Newbury in October, held up and shaken up 3f out, taking a while to respond before switched 1f out and coming home well for pressure, worth a bit more on late splits. He has yet to race on firmer than good with his 2 best efforts coming on softer than it.

LAYFAYETTE (109 here and previously) ran well (Mooresbridge Stakes raised 3 lb as a result) under a patient ride and is proving reliable, steadied at the start, still last 2f out, headway and switched inside, running on well until near the death.

POKER FACE (107 here and previously) showed very useful form again, but it was not enough in this still higher grade, setting a well-judged pace, shaken up well over 2f out but headed under pressure approaching the final 1f and one paced. He might be OK at a little shorter ridden in this fashion.

ROYAL CHAMPION (102 here, 110 previously) shaped as if the race will bring him on and can be expected to be close to form next time, tracking the pace travelling comfortably, making an effort 2f out and not far back until no extra in the final 1f. He won a listed race at Ayr last season and should manage something similar, or possibly a Group 3.

FOXES TALES (0 here, 111 previously) ran poorly, as he had done on his final start of last season, tracking the pace but not really travelling from some way out and weakening/eased over 2f out.