HAYDOCK PARK 16:05 73l2f

All 12 ran.

Time: 57.55s

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 98.6%

An up-to-standard renewal of the Temple - despite Washington DC and Quiet Reflection failing to produce their best - and a fair race, too, Goldream really the only one better than the result, though that was his own fault after fluffing the start.

PRICELESS had rather had her finishing effort compromised in the Palace House, better than the result that day, and showed what she can do under a more energy-efficient ride, things dropping just right this time, which they didn't for the runner-up; prominent, produced to lead over 1f out, always holding on; it'll presumably be the King's Stand next, but there'll doubtless be a few turning up there who weren't in the field this day, including Marsha, and the chances are a reproduction of this form won't be quite good enough.

GOLDREAM spent 2016 in the doldrums but this categorically confirms his return to form, arguably a mite unfortunate, too, losing more ground at the start than the distance he was beaten, and he'll go to the King's Stand back at the top of his game, acknowledging there are a fair few top-notchers not in this field who will be at Ascot; reared leaving stalls, held up, still plenty to do 2f out, headway under pressure approaching final 1f, responded well.

ALPHA DELPHINI ran as well as he ever has, not well placed in the Palace House but basically very much at home in pattern sprints these days, not bad for a horse that was successful from a BHA mark of 79 on his reappearance last season; chased leaders, driven halfway, headway under pressure approaching final 1f, stayed on.

FINAL VENTURE backed at long odds after 9 weeks off, shaped as if back in form, looking at home in this grade nowadays and certainly not troubled for speed back at the minimum trip; close up, every chance from 2f out, not quicken final 1f.

KACHY remains in good form, essentially not quite up to this sort of grade but certainly good enough to again pick up a race or 2 at a slightly lesser level this season ; in touch, shaken up over 2f out, kept on.

WASHINGTON DC (IRE) shaped a bit better than the bare result, caught a little away from where the principals fought out the finish, but there's no denying he was below the level he'd shown at Newmarket, when ahead of the likes of Priceless and Goldream, not travelling with quite the same purpose on this occasion; in touch, shaken up under 2f out, rider briefly dropped reins entering final 1f and no impression.

TAKE COVER shaped as if retaining all ability after 8 months off, lack of peak fitness presumably finding him out in the end, the King George Stakes at Goodwood doubtless his chief summer target, though he'll presumably take in the King's Stand next en route; made running, ed 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final 1f.

ENCORE D'OR faced a stiff task in this grade and shaped as if still in good form, especially considering his turf form doesn't match up to that on the all-weather; in touch, shaken up under 2f out, one paced.

WAADY (IRE) was back at his optimum trip but again below form, never threatening to do as well as when third in the race the previous year; patiently ridden, shaken up 2f out, made no impression.

QUIET REFLECTION took her place in the field only after lengthy deliberations as to whether the ground was deemed too fast and the post-race suspicion must be that connections wished they hadn't bothered, as she didn't run much of a race, though whether underfoot conditions were to blame is a moot point, not really shaping as if in the same sort of form as when successful in the Sprint Cup here last back-end; held up, pushed along 2f out, made no impression, acknowledging she wasn't given an unduly hard race.

COTAI GLORY ran poorly, being caught on the flank from his draw not sufficient excuse; waited with, pushed along halfway, labouring 2f out.

THESME shaped similarly to last time, facing another stiff task but checking out too tamely for comfort, essentially yet to come to herself it would appear; close up, weakened under 2f out.