ASCOT 15:40 s3c17

Non Runners: SAN DONATO (IRE).

Time: 2m 12.29s Closing Sectional: (3f): 38.45s (103.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 100.7%

There was no Ghaiyyath, but this was still a strong field for the signature race of the day, the Derby and French Derby winners taking on last year's first 2, as well as 2 other older Group 1 winners in Lord North and Japan, plus the prolific Skalleti stepping up in class; it was relatively tactical in nature and it paid to hold a good position, Addeybb's success completing a clean sweep for older geldings in the 4 pattern races open to them on the card, that not a reason in itself to criticise the quality on the day, his high-class performance representing a narrow career best, everything going perfectly on ground he relishes.

ADDEYBB (IRE) proved better than ever in a race that went perfectly for him, ideally positioned the way things developed, testing ground very much playing to his strengths as well; travelled well, led 1f, close up after, led under 2f out, quickened clear, kept on well final 1f, well on top finish; he's a great credit to his trainer, this year's exploits built on patient foundations.

SKALLETI (FR) ran a cracker on his first attempt at Group 1, going through the race really well, ridden closer to the lead than is usually the case in (good tactics as it turned out), just not so strong a stayer in the finish as the winner; tracked pace, travelled strongly, led briefly over 2f out, left behind by winner approaching final 1f, kept on; as a gelding, he's likely to be a regular visitor to Britain next summer in search of Group 1 options.

MAGICAL (IRE) has a fantastic record at the highest level, at this trip particularly, but she was a shade below the level she ran to last time in bidding to win at this meeting for the third year running, slightly further back than the pair that beat her and unable to claw back the advantage; in touch, effort straight, not quicken over 2f out, kept on inside final 1f, nearest at the finish; she ran really well when second to Enable in the Breeders' Cup Turf 2 years ago and that might be an option for her again this time.

SERPENTINE (IRE) had missed the Arc due to concerns about possibly failing a drugs test due to contaminated feed and this was very much a second-best option, down in trip (had to prove himself on the ground as well), fluffing the start meaning he had to work to get the lead, essentially done for foot in the straight; slowly into stride, shaken up, led after 1f, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, not quicken, not persevered with once held; there is a sense of unfinished business with him, neither of his starts since his Derby win showing him to advantage, and hopefully he will stay in training at 4 yrs.

DESERT ENCOUNTER (IRE) isn't really up to Group 1 class and ran about as well as could be expected, indeed doing better than most of those that raced from mid-field back; in rear, ridden 4f out, not quicken entering straight, kept on approaching final 1f, never on .

EXTRA ELUSIVE was below form, taking a further step up in class, difficult to get involved from where he was positioned anyway; slowly into stride, held up, not settle fully, shaken up over 3f out, made no impression.

PYLEDRIVER was below form, undone more by the ground than by the drop back down markedly in trip, a winner on good to soft as a 2-y-o, but best form on good/good to firm; held up, not settle fully, ridden over 4f out, made no impression.

MISHRIFF (IRE) had improved with each run previously this year, scoring on testing ground last time out, but he ran well below expectations after 2 months off, none of his yard's 7 runners on the card performing within 10 lb of their best; tracked pace, not settle fully, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, faded final 1f, not persevered with once held; given his overall profile, he's best forgiven this effort, the potential there for more to come if kept in training at 4 yrs.

JAPAN another that had missed the Arc due to doubts about his possibly testing positive for a prohibited substance due to contaminated feed, was again well below form, hardly beating a rival on his last 3 starts, all in all a disappointing campaign; broke well, soon steadied, travelled well, shaken up over 2f out, hung right, soon beaten.

LORD NORTH (IRE) has improved on good ground this year, but he ran well at the time on soft (second in the Balmoral) and heavy on his final 2 starts last year and shouldn't have run as poorly as he did solely on of the ground, just another from his stable that didn't fire on the day; waited with, effort approaching straight, ridden over 2f out, weakened; he's probably best forgiven this.