ASCOT 14:40

Non Runners: KINGDOM COME (IRE).

Time: 1m 30.53s

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 103.7%

The testing ground was probably a factor in the smallest field for the Victoria Cup since the same number went to post in 2008 and it's rare to see a race of this nature won by such a wide margin, Rebel Territory racing in the smaller group that went towards the far side - stalls 1 to 9 with the exception of the switched Baradar - and having it to himself from a good way out; there perhaps wasn't much of a bias with regards the draw overall, but a few can still be upgraded, Baradar again catching the eye while Perotto made an encouraging debut for his new stable, the race still likely to prove a pointer to other good handicaps later in the year.

REBEL TERRITORY had beaten Vafortino by ½ length at Newmarket last time but had plenty more to spare on this occasion as he followed up in this deeper race, looking better than ever, the drop back to this sort of trip seemingly the making of him; close up, travelled well, pushed along 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left, drew clear; there's no shortage of valuable 7f handicaps to go at, though connections are of the opinion he's best away from firmish ground, so they are likely to pick and choose, but he's earned the significant rise in the weights he's set for.

BIGGLES again ran creditably and is holding his form very well, coming out best of the rest and beating all that raced in his group; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on; he will continue to give a good account, most versatile with regards ground, too.

VAFORTINO (IRE) won this last year from a 6 lb lower mark, his apprentice claiming only 3 lb these days too but he continues in good heart, placed on each outing this year and in the firing line throughout, comfortably outperforming the others that disputed the lead; close up, pushed along over 2f out, behind winner but remained prominent overall, no extra and lost lead in group only late on.

SPYCATCHER (IRE) hasn't had many goes in handicaps, but has a career-high mark courtesy of his good efforts in conditions races and remains in form; held up, smooth headway under 3f out, ridden 2f out, hung left final 100 yds, kept on.

SAFE VOYAGE (IRE) isn't the force of old, but his mark reflects that these days and he ran to a similar level as at Thirsk last week; mid-field, pushed along around halfway, headway from 2f out, plugged on.

BARADAR (IRE) in a first-time tongue strap, gave the impression in the Lincoln that he's the type to win a good handicap under the right conditions and did nothing to alter that view with this effort, shaping much better than the bare result; steadied at the start and switched to race in larger group, travelled well off pace, still going well when when met some trouble over 2f out, forced to switch towards centre of track, ran on late but was left poorly placed.

PEROTTO has been given a big chance by the handicapper on his 3-y-o form, unsurprisingly attracting support on his first outing since leaving Marcus Tregoning and shaped promisingly returning from 7 months off; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, late headway, the race unfolding away from him; will be suited by a return to 1m and with his mark lower now than when he won the Britannia, looks a leading contender for the Hunt Cup back over that C&D.

TOTALLY CHARMING was again strong in the betting (also sent off favourite for the Irish Lincolnshire on his reappearance) with his top apprentice booked and though he wasn't ideally placed on the wing of the larger group, his finishing effort was once again rather underwhelming (has worn tongue strap on last 4 starts); mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened final 100 yds; there's not much wrong with the form of his Doncaster win from last autumn, the placed pair both successful this spring.

RIVER NYMPH won this race in 2021 and was third in it last year, shaped as if retaining his ability after 7 months off; held up, pushed along under 3f out, one paced; he tends to keep good company and the handicapper knows where he is with him.

RHOSCOLYN was again easy to back but ran better than last time and seems to be building up to something, very likely that he's being laid out for the Buckingham Palace at the Royal meeting and few will look as well treated as him on his third in the race last year off a significantly higher mark than the one he'll have this time around; patiently ridden, pushed along over 2f out, kept on.

ACCIDENTAL AGENT was runner-up in this last year off a higher mark but failed to repeat the form of his reappearance run after just 8 days off; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 1f.

ZIP back on turf, is best excused the run, ridden too aggressively trying to dominate a race like this; led group, pushed along 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened.

ADMIRAL D (IRE) was below form after just 7 days off, the return to 7f doing little for him; mid-field, ridden 3f out, not quicken.

DARKNESS (FR) had plenty on his plate back at this level and wasn't in the same form as last time; held up, pushed along around halfway, never involved.

ROPEY GUEST had finished sixth and fifth on his reappearance in this race for the last 2 seasons but shaped as if needing the run after 7 months off on this occasion; chased leaders, not settle fully, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out; he's got a poor strike rate, but that's in part because he keeps such good company so often and was runner-up in the Buckingham Palace and Bunbury Cup last year.

TYLOS (FR) won a race at Leicester that amounts to little and he failed to repeat that in a much better race, the handicapper surely set for a rethink over that 9 lb rise; disputed lead, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

TOIMY SON (FR) ran poorly and has cut little ice since coming to Britain; held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

RAINBOW FIRE (IRE) found run of good form coming to a halt, conditions a legitimate excuse; mid-field, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out; he'd beaten the runner-up at Haydock.

FRESH was easy to back and went backwards from his reappearance; held up, pushed along halfway, never involved.

ORBAAN ran poorly back in a tongue strap, looking some way removed from the horse that thrived in good handicaps (and shot up the weights as a result) last summer; raced well off the pace, ridden before halfway, made no impression.

CALL ME GINGER was very weak in the betting back from 8 months off and shaped as if very much in need of the run; chased leaders, pushed along soon after halfway, weakened 2f out; he starts the year from a career-high mark and it would be no surprise if he takes a few runs to find his form.

SIR DANCEALOT (IRE) ran poorly; slowly into stride, driven before halfway, always behind; it's hard to believe he's up to this level these days.