ASCOT 15:00

All 7 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 2m 5.63s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.55s (103%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 101.5%

Not a vintage Prince of Wales's on paper, the 5-y-o+ contingent lacking, particularly in comparison to last year's renewal, the COVID-19 pandemic probably having an impact on the number of foreign raiders, but Lord North is progressing rapidly and is rated as at least an up-to-scratch winner, impressing with his sweeping move to the front in a race that wasn't run at an end-to-end gallop, all 7 fanned out across the track just after the 2f pole, a few - in particular Headman - having expended plenty of unnecessary energy in the early stages.

LORD NORTH (IRE) was beaten in handicaps on both visits here as a 3-y-o but has made tremendous strides over the last year or so, upping his rating on nearly every start, possessing a rare change of gear which might have allowed him to make his Group 1 breakthrough in Tuesday's Queen Anne had connections opted to go that route, though he's wonderfully easy to settle for one with such pace, Doyle having no problem anchoring him at the back despite several of his rivals pulling for their heads in the early stages; he then made smooth headway entering the straight and was switched to challenge 2f out, bursting to the front entering the final 1f and soon going clear, just pushed out late on; an Eclipse featuring him, Enable and Ghaiyyath would be some spectacle, though John Gosden is well known for keeping his top horses apart and the cards may well fall differently, having a fair few options with Lord North given his likely effectiveness back at 1m.

ADDEYBB (IRE) strong in the betting having made his top-level breakthrough in Australia in the spring, ran well back in a domestic Group 1 after 10 weeks off, particularly given the majority of his form has come with plenty of cut in the ground; prominent, challenged under 2f out, not quicken entering final 1f, but kept on to finish clear runner-up; he may well win a weakish Group 1 in Britain eventually, very consistent in recent times.

BARNEY ROY made it a 1-2-3 for the geldings, running well after 3 months off, a lot better than he'd done in last year's Queen Anne, this probably about as good as he is nowadays; mid-field, raced freely, outpaced 3f out, threatened over 1f out, edged left, one paced.

JAPAN was easy to back and shaped as if better for the run after 8 months off, this probably not his optimum trip, either, particularly with the emphasis on speed (took time to wind up when winning the Juddmonte); sweated up beforehand, slowly into stride but rushed up to settle in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded entering final 1f; he'll be suited by a return to 1½m and is still a colt to be positive about.

BANGKOK (IRE) ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade/back on turf after 4 months off; led, ridden entering straight, tackled under 2f out, faded final 1f, well positioned.

MEHDAAYIH wasn't seen to best effect after 8 months off, led to post (without Dettori onboard) and then keen throughout, though she's probably got to improve to make more of an impact at open Group 1 level anyway; mid-field, not settle fully, headway end of back straight, switched 2f out, threatened briefly over 1f out, beaten entering final 1f.

HEADMAN looks the sort to do better this season but didn't do himself justice after 9 months off, quite warm in the preliminaries (albeit on a humid day) and pulling his chance away in the first half of the race; held up, refused to settle, brief headway out wide over 2f out, not sustain effort; he remains capable of better under the right circumstances.