ASCOT 14:25 303n4b

Non Runners: REPARTEE (IRE), FLEETING PRINCE (IRE).

Time: 1m 28.94s Closing Sectional: (2f): 25.9s (98.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 98.9%

This came quickly on the heels of the major European Guineas, but as ever there were a smattering of those that came up short in the classics taking on some up-and- comers and it was one from each group that fought out the finish, the reappearing Molatham getting back up to deny Monarch of Egypt after the latter had swept through from behind with what looked like a winning run.

MOLATHAM had some strong form to his name as a 2-y-o, beating Guineas runner-up Wichita and Classic Trial winner Berlin Tango in a listed race at Doncaster, and showed his Autumn Stakes run to be just a blip as he got back on the up after 8 months off, looking a very smart prospect; mid-field, travelled strongly, went on over 1f out, headed inside final 1f, led again late on; he will go on improving and should win more races, including at 1m, but connections also have impressive Britannia winner Khaloosy to consider for pattern races, so no surprise if Molatham is kept to 7f for the time being.

MONARCH OF EGYPT (USA) was turned out again quickly having hardly had a race in the Irish Guineas and proved better than ever, giving the impression he should have won, his rider's switching of the whip in the closing stages proving costly in a race of fine margins; dwelt, dropped out, rapid headway over 2f out, quickened to lead inside final 1f, hung right and continued to do so when Moore switched his whip into his left hand, headed late on; he's smart but probably not up to winning at the highest level.

SYMBOLIZE (IRE) was upped in trip and proved better than ever returning from 11 months off, not seen since last year's Richmond and enhancing his record at this meeting having also made the frame in last year's Windsor Castle; held up, headway 2f out, finished well; he'll probably stay 1m.

ROPEY GUEST ran what has become a typical race, excelling himself in the face of a stiff task to make the frame in another pattern race, but still a maiden; held up, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, no extra inside final 1f.

CELESTIN (FR) in first-time cheekpieces, couldn't back up his improved showing in the Poulains, that a clear standout on his record for now; awkward leaving stalls, held up, pushed along 3f out, had to wait for gap 2f out, not quicken.

KING LEONIDAS was strong in the betting but lost his unbeaten record, this perhaps just coming a bit too soon in his career, not so battle-hardened as some and also racing closer to the pace than all those that finished ahead of him having been keen enough; dwelt, close up, took strong hold, pushed along over 3f out, one paced; he remains open to improvement.

FINAL SONG (IRE) was placed in the Queen Mary on similar ground last year but wasn't in the same form as in the Guineas, despite having backed up off a similar absence in Dubai earlier in the year; mid-field, ridden under 3f out, weakened inside final 1f.

LORD OF THE LODGE (IRE) was below form after 4 months off but with excuses not hard to come by, unproven at the trip and on the ground, and having plenty of use made of him; forced pace, headed 2f out, weakened.

MYSTERY POWER (IRE) was a very useful 2-y-o, winning in pattern company, but was well held after 8 months off, just as on his only previous start on softer than good (in the Dewhurst); mid-field, ridden from halfway, weakened over 2f out.

ABOVE (FR) after 9 months off, was out of his depth; mid-field, challenged 2f out, weakened.

MISTER SNOWDON faced a stiff task in this grade, but there had been a lot to like about the wins on his first 2 starts, and this won't have harmed his mark; mid-field, left behind 2f out.

KING OF ATHENS (USA) unproven on the ground, ran poorly; chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened.

VENTURA LIGHTNING (FR) was out of his depth; in rear, left behind from halfway.