ASCOT 15:35 34325l

Non Runners: WOODED (IRE).

Time: 1m 14.56s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.7s (101.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 101.2%

Juvenile form was put under the spotlight more than ever coming into this year’s Commonwealth Cup after the traditional 3-y-o trials had been disrupted, the Sandy Lane cancelled and the Pavilion Stakes less informative for moving from Ascot to Newcastle, and it was one of the 6 in the line-up who’d got to a smart level at 2 who came out on top, Richmond winner Golden Horde putting in a likeable front-running performance down the near rail, though unfortunately it wasn’t a completely satisfactory race, 6 of the first 7 home coming from ‘his’ group, those on the far side, which included the market leaders Lope Y Fernandez and Pierre Lapin, at a clear disadvantage, though the latter was beaten by more than his position.

GOLDEN HORDE (IRE) became his trainer's first Group 1 winner since Harry Angel in the 2017 Sprint Cup and it's not hard to imagine him ending up somewhere close to that horse on ratings given the way he's going, possessing a profile of run-to-run progression barring a soft-ground Prix Morny, the timefigure suggesting this was a clear career best after 9 months off even if several of his main rivals weren't ideally placed; led group on near side, travelled well, kicked on approaching final 1f and kept going well, driven out; he'll reportedly head to the July Cup next, a race that really should suit his style.

KIMARI (USA) proved better than ever returning to turf after 11 weeks off (made winning reappearance on dirt), showing she's got the stamina for a stiff 6f under more patient tactics than when runner-up in last year's Queen Mary, though Dettori was rather forced into riding her that way after she missed the kick slightly; she raced in touch on the near side and made headway from 2f out, threatening over 1f out but was unable to quicken in the final 1f; she's a versatile filly and her connections are likely to have plenty of options after this.

VENTURA REBEL showed benefit of reappearance run back on turf, matching the form of his Norfolk second; slowly into stride, raced near side/off pace, switched over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not quicken entering final 1f, stayed on to take third near line; he saw this stiff 6f out well and will be suited by 7f.

ROYAL COMMANDO (IRE) had a positional advantage over many back at 6f and converted that to an improved, in-frame effort in a Group 1 after 8 months off; raced in mid-field on near side, chased leader from 2f out, one paced and lost third near line.

MILLISLE (IRE) shaped a lot better than in the 1000 Guineas back down at 6f, doing best of those in the far-side group, and she should still be able to at least match the pick of her 2-y-o form; raced far side in mid-field, driven 3f out, switched 2f out, kept on.

ROYAL CRUSADE down in trip, shaped as if better for the run after 9 months off, an encouraging move not sustained; slowly into stride, raced near side/off the pace, raced freely, rapid progress from 3f out, threatened under 2f out, faded approaching final 1f; he's worth another chance to improve

SOUTHERN HILLS (IRE) probably needed the run after 12 months off (not seen since winning last year's Windsor Castle); raced near side, prominent, dropped away from 2f out.

PISTOLETTO (USA) wasn't disgraced on the balance of his form though was simply ing beaten horses who'd raced in the disadvantaged group; raced off the pace near side, driven 2f out, merely ed beaten horses.

ROYAL LYTHAM (FR) down in trip after just 7 days off, can have a line put through this run, in the 'wrong' group; prominent far side, shaken up over 2f out, dropped away 1f out; he went the right way at 2 and has unfinished business at 7f+.

SHADN (IRE) back down in trip after 8 months off, was up against it on form in this company but didn't give her running in any case, wayward under pressure; raced near side in mid-field, hung right from 3f out, dropped away over 1f out.

LOPE Y FERNANDEZ (IRE) was a warm order back in trip having shaped well in the Irish 2000 Guineas last time but didn't really get a fair chance to justify after 7 days off, left poorly placed; raced on far flank of disadvantaged group, waited with, starting to be ridden when hampered 2f out, beaten over 1f out; well worth another chance at this sort of trip.

DUBAI STATION back on turf, might not be a Group 1 sprinter at this point but still shaped better than the distance beaten suggests; missed the break and raced off pace on far side, travelled better than most, headway when forced to switch under 2f out, not sustain effort.

LES HOGUES (IRE) is being campaigned out of her grade but at least showed a bit more than on reappearance back sprinting; dropped out on far side, left behind from 2f out but not knocked about.

ABERAMA GOLD ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade; tracked pace on far side, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

MUMS TIPPLE (IRE) is not an easy horse to weigh up, yet to fire after his freakish effort in a York sales race, faring little better than on his reappearance despite being back at a more suitable trip, his track position not enough of an excuse given how far he was beaten; broke well and raced in clear lead on far side, hung left/looked a bit awkward when closed down 2f out, weakened over 1f out; there are much lesser races open to him but he's got a fair bit to prove now.

PIERRE LAPIN (IRE) looked one of the most interesting contenders, unbeaten at 2 with the scope to be significantly better this season, but he clearly wasn't 100% on the day, essentially the first beaten, a rare disappointment for his yard this week; raced far side in mid-field, ridden 3f out, soon beaten; it's still early days and he remains with potential.