Reporter: James Flaherty
In what may not have been a “vintage renewal” of this Group 2 contest for juveniles, we still saw three nice colts pull a little clear, with all three open to progress for differing reasons. DR RASCAL ultimately got the verdict, despite not getting a perfectly clear run. He had half a length to spare over Haffner at the line, with the tricky (being kind) Al Hudaiba a further short head away in third.
maintained his unbeaten record with his first success in pattern class here and was possibly value for more than the bare margin on the day. He was never far away on the inside but had to squeeze through when making his challenge a furlong out. It was a touch cosy in the end, as once he got through the gap on the rails, he never really looked like being beaten. He continues to progress as this was a notable step forward and there should be more to come from him.
improved again from his maiden win at Newmarket here and he continues to shape like one that will only really come into his own over middle-distances next season. Always handy, he briefly got his head in front around a furlong out but lacked the acceleration of the winner in the final furlong.
continues to restrict his level of performance through his own behaviour. He is far from straightforward and was tried in first-time blinkers here, he was no better than his previous Newmarket win. The track probably didn’t help, but he was wayward and it was too late when he eventually put his head down. He did come home well, but he really should be learning how to race now after five starts.
was the early leader here, but he had little answer in the final furlong when the three that eventually fought out the finish mounted their challenge. The gap between him and Al Hudaiba was wider here than it was at Newmarket suggesting he may be close to his ceiling.
was the rank outsider and even though he stayed on to an extent in the final furlong, he never really got involved in the contest. It represented a small improvement on his fourth in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot last time.
was always in rear and weakened over a furlong out.
