ASCOT 15:40 s3c17

All 9 ran.

Time: 2m 27.43s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.95s (97.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 102.3%

By no means a vintage field for the midsummer showpiece, the 3-y-o challenge certainly underwhelming, the line-up reflecting a lack of standout performers in the older-horse middle-distance division at present, the first 3 from last year's race, for instance, all either retired or sidelined, the latter also applying to Isle of Jura whose rise to prominence reached greater heights with a ready win in the Hardwicke last month over Goliath, a horse who was unrecognisable here faced with a very different tempo of race, 4-time Group 1 winner Luxembourg in effect taking up the role of secondary Ballydoyle pacemaker, ensuring a strong gallop didn't slacken at all when the initial pacemaker began to flag, the winner clearly relishing such an end-to-end test, recording the fifth fastest winning time in the race this century, and becoming the first gelding to win the race.

GOLIATH (GER) had been gradually progressive to this point but had done nothing to suggest such an impressive display was so imminent, quite well adrift of the subsequently-sidelined Isle of Jura in the Hardwicke but a different horse for this very different tempo of race, relishing the sort of end-to-end test rarely seen in top-level races; travelling notably strongly in mid-field before making headway on the bridle over 2f out, he was produced to lead well over 1f out and was soon clear without Soumillon having to get in any way serious with him; this form puts him right towards the top of the tree in the middle-distance division in Europe, though repeating this sort of performance won't be easy, not least as his options - like his stablemate Calandagan who was so impressive in winning the King Edward VII at the Royal meeting - are slightly limited by him being a gelding.

BLUESTOCKING who had cheekpieces back on and was taking on males for the first time this year, confirmed herself a very smart filly who is not only versatile with regards both trip and ground but is extremely tough to boot, doing all she could to get within hailing distance of the winner briefly; patiently ridden in last, she was taken 3-wide over 5f out to start creeping closer before making steady headway 3f out having had to negotiate her way past the weakening pacesetter, was within striking distance 2f out but couldn't match the winner from there, taking second 1f out and, though edging right, staying on to pull clear of the rest; she'll be a big player in the Yorkshire Oaks now.

REBEL'S ROMANCE (IRE) who's been dominant on the global stage this year, winning in Qatar, Dubai and Hong Kong, strictly speaking was a little way off his best, but if anything emerges with his reputation enhanced in faring much the best of those ridden close up in a race in which the gallop didn't relent at all; chased leaders in third, had to slightly fight his way past weakening pacesetter under 4f out, led entering straight, hung right 2f out, headed over 1f out, plugged on; presumably a similar route to the Breeders' Cup Turf that he took in 2022 could be on the cards.

SUNWAY (FR) the sole 3-y-o in the race, couldn't match his Irish Derby form, this on a par with the performance that had seen him finish mid-field in the French equivalent before that, lacking gears - on this ground at least - even in such a well-run race, acknowledging he did meet some trouble; waited with, shaken up 4f out, hampered over 3f out, bit outpaced soon after, late headway and took fourth final 50 yds; this reaffirms that he really ought to be suited by further than 1½m.

AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) proved to be a disappointment, even if this was by no means the full-scale blowout that he's produced a few times, including in this race last year; in touch, challenged on inner 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, no extra and lost fourth final 50 yds; his best 1¼m form has come when faced with a strong gallop but it's hard to think such a scenario suited him here over such a stiff 1½m, at least ridden close to the pace like he was.

LUXEMBOURG (IRE) after 8 weeks off, is best forgiven the run, no sooner had he landed his fourth Group 1 than he was relegated to the role of secondary pacemaker for the supposed benefit of Auguste Rodin, but to no avail; close up, went on over 4f out, headed entering straight, weakening when short of room briefly under 2f out, faded.

DUBAI HONOUR (IRE) wasn't on his game, perhaps just unable to deal with such a well-run race on good to firm; steadied at the start and patiently ridden, he made some headway up the inner 3f out but his effort proved very short-lived.

MIDDLE EARTH a place behind Goliath in the Hardwicke, presumably just wasn't anything like 100% on the day, not looking comfortable from quite an early stage; bumped start, held up, went in snatches, labouring 4f out, eased off.

HANS ANDERSEN again acted as pacemaker; missed the break, soon led but kept a couple of horses off the inside, headed over 4f out, beaten quickly.