ASCOT 15:05

Non Runners: LEOVANNI (IRE).

Time: 1m 12.03s

Overrounds: Industry SP 130%, Betfair SP 100.6%

The eleventh Commonwealth Cup featured the biggest field since 2018 and the betting proved no guide at all with big-priced ones filling the frame and the market leaders disappointing to varying degrees; that backdrop, plus a fairly congested finish, means it's hard to rate as anything other than a middling renewal, though the winner perhaps deserves extra credit bearing in mind she finished well clear among the 6 that raced up the far side, the larger group having formed centre to stand side by halfway; a few suffered in congestion leaving the stalls, though more significant trouble occured around 2f out, when both Whistlejacket and Big Mojo saw their chance disappear.

TIME FOR SANDALS (IRE) looked very well in the paddock and built markedly on her fine second in a strong-looking Chantilly Group 3 to come out on top, a surprise judged on the betting but with no fluke about it, doing well considering she was out on her own on the far side in the final 1f, nearly 5 lengths ahead of the second home there; tracked pace, travelled powerfully, challenged over 1f out, edged ahead final 1f, drifted left but responded well; she'll need to progress again to make her mark in all-aged Group 1s but that's hardly out of the question considering the way her form is going, and it's not as if the bar in the division is set especially high.

ARIZONA BLAZE produced a career best as he reversed form with 3 who'd beaten him at Haydock, making all in the stand-side group but edged out by one on the other side of the track; led overall, travelled well, effort under 2f out, headed final 1f, ran on; he's a hardy colt who'll continue to pay his way, though all-aged Group 1s will demand more still and it's hard to believe there's much more progress in him.

RAYEVKA (IRE) confirmed her improvement from Chantlly and looked a bit better than the result, done no favours at the start and making quite a striking move into contention nearest the stand rail; hampered start, dropped out, travelled well, good headway out wide over 1f out, threatened final 1f, ran on; she's evidently come back a much better 3-y-o and further progress looks a distinct possibility.

SAYIDAH DARIYAN (IRE) did by far the best of the 3 that contested the Carnarvon at Newbury as she made the frame at huge odds, looking full value for her improvement; raced centre inititally before working over to main stand-side group, held up, smooth headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance entering final 1f, kept on; the Summer Stakes at York in July could be a good opportunity for a pattern win.

SHADOW OF LIGHT was a warm order back down in trip after his fine run in the Guineas but underperformed, hard to know why unless even firmer ground counted against him; bumped start, raced stand side, prominent, effort 2f out, not quicken; his best efforts still look a match for what the winner achieved here.

WHISTLEJACKET (IRE) was the chief one better than the result, not getting room to open up until it was too late, the way he shaped offering some hope that there may yet be more to come from him as a 3-y-o; bumped start, raced stand side, dropped out, travelled well, no room from 2f out, stayed on final 1f, finished with running left

BIG MOJO (IRE) wasn't seen to anything like best effect and may yet show better form as a 3-y-o than he managed at 2 yrs; dropped out stand side, dropped to last when denied a run 2f out, stayed on final 1f, not recover.

SKY MAJESTY (IRE) ran much better than on her return 9 weeks earlier faced with a tougher task, no match for the winner on her side but doing second best in the group; held up, headway under pressure entering final 1f, plugged on; she's versatile as regards ground but her very best effort came on heavy last backend.

AIN'T NOBODY (IRE) shaped as if still in top form, making a notable forward move before petering out late, again proposing a return to 5f; raced far side, dropped out, good headway over 1f out, no extra final 100 yds; he might be better off in good handicaps rather than pattern races but the feeling is that he'll prove himself a smart sprinter somwhere down the line.

ARABIE without the headgear this time, wasn't up to this better company; raced stand side, prominent, ridden over 2f out, faded.

STRONG WARRIOR faced a much stiffer task in this grade but wasn't seen to best effect and offered encouragement that we haven't seen the best of him yet, one to be interested in next time assuming his sights are lowered; raced centre early before joining stand-side group, mid-field, shuffled back over 2f out, rallied approaching final 1f, faded late on as the effort told.

ARABIAN DUSK on her toes beforehand, wasn't in the same form as when edged out in the Sandy Lane, allowing that an early bump was no help; raced far side, held up, effort 2f out, weakened final 1f.

JONQUIL had been rallying at the finish over 1m in the Poulains and confirmed himself not a sprinter on his first go at 6f; raced stand side, mid-division, outpaced 2f out, no chance after.

BERKSHIRE WHISPER (IRE) wasn't up to this still better company; mid-division, effort 2f out, weakened final 1f.

SHISOSPICY (USA) in the tongue strap she presumably also wears on home soil, probably remains in form, showing speed but not lasting out, her main impact on the race being the tow she gave the winner; raced far side, led group, headed there over 1f out, weakened final 1f.

IDES OF MARCH (IRE) ran poorly, way below the form of his 2 listed seconds this year; raced stand side, pressed leader, lost place over 2f out, weakened; his trainer should get him back on track at a lower level, and 7f remains well worth another try.

CARLA RIDGE (IRE) was out of depth; raced stand side, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered approaching final 1f.

LADY WITH THE LAMP (IRE) wasn't up to this better company; raced stand side, mid-division, off pace 2f out, made no impression.

SOLDIER'S HEART was out of depth; raced stand side, prominent, dropped away under 2f out.

BABOUCHE was way too free, even more so than when disappointing in last season's Cheveley Park on her sole previous visit to Britain; raced stand side, in touch, pulled hard, dropped away 2f out, beaten when short of room approaching final 1f.

DIABLO ROJO (IRE) in first-time visor, shaped as if amiss (said to have finished lame); bumped start, raced far side, ridden over 2f out, dropped away quickly, possibly amiss.