AYR 15:50

All 27 ran.

Time: 1m 9.53s

Overrounds: Industry SP 142%, Betfair SP 102.4%

A typical renewal of one of the most competitive handicaps of the season, but like the other races on the sprint course this week, the draw had a major impact, the field splitting with stalls 1-9 and 11 going far side, though Hamza and Captain Ramius were soon switched to the middle, and a high draw, and in particular, a position near the stands rail proved an asset, Louis The Pious quickening right away in the closing stages to land his second big prize of the year; unsurprisingly in the circumstances several shaped better than the bare result, the winner's stablemates Highland Acclaim and Watchable perhaps the most notable and most likely to be of interest in similar events near to hand.

LOUIS THE PIOUS is evidently motivated by the hussle and bussle of these big fields, scraping home in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot but a much more authoritative winner of this valuable prize, proving better than ever, perhaps aided by the change of headgear, in a first-time visor instead of a hood, but also benefiting from a prime position on the stand rail; in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, ran on strongly; goes so well in these events, that should remain competitive in them when circumstances allow, but as a 4-time winner in single fields, there's scope for him proving just as good in listed/minor pattern company too.

MINALISA was fully 16 lb higher than when last seen in a handicap, a winner in listed company in the interim, and a return to that company and possibly group races against her own sex is in the offing after this smart effort, value for extra on top given where she raced; raced far side, chased leaders, went with zest, effort 2f out, kept going well, first home in group.

BLAINE was backed into favouritism with it clear he had one of the plum draws and ran at least as well as when winning at York, not seen to best effect; held up, pushed along over 2f out, stuck to task and finished well on rail but caught further back than ideal; he's a bit hit and miss, but that's as much the kind of races he contests and remains one to be interested in for these type of races; had excuses when below form when tried at 7f previously, this not the first time he's shaped as if should be effective at it.

HEAVEN'S GUEST (IRE) was claimer ridden from his career-high mark and wasted no time getting back to form in a race than panned out better for him than last time; prominent on rail, off the bridle long way out, stayed on to lead 2f out, headed inside final 1f, one paced; at least as effective at 7f.

FAST SHOT thrived in the spring to win twice, but kept lightly raced since and returned to form after 5 weeks off; held up, driven soon after halfway, stayed on, nearest at the finish; fresher than most for the time of year.

RUWAIYAN (USA) finished fourth in the Stewards' Cup earlier in the year, proof he can cut it in this type of race and shaped as if in top form, the draw compromising his chance; raced far side, in touch, effort over 2f out, ran on, second home in group; an awkward head carriage is a trait.

AN SAIGHDIUR (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, ran better than last time without convincing he's back firing on all cylinders, though these are hardly ideally circumstances in which to try and make all; led main group, headed over 2f out, one paced.

JACK DEXTER had plenty on under top-weight, but a 10-week break looks to have freshened him up and he shaped as if back in form, circumstances not conducive to him being able to show it, third home on the wrong side and the ground also faster than suits ideally; raced far side, held up, travelled better than most, shaken up 2f out, kept on, unsuited by the way the race developed; runner-up in the Champions Sprint and successful in a listed race at Doncaster after finishing third in this last year, he's expected to enjoy another fruitful autumn this time around.

HIGHLAND ACCLAIM (IRE) is a reformed character nowadays and shaped much better than the bare result, unlucky not to finish much closer, it's not stretching things to suggest that if he'd had the run of the race like his stablemate Louis The Pious did, he might well have run him close; held up, but wide in the main group, went with enthusiasm, effort 2f out, stayed on strongly, but under just hands-and-heels ride with it clear he had a hopeless task from position; very much one to be interested in for similar events, easy to see him as a leading contender for races like the Wokingham (already a C&D winner) next year.

BALLESTEROS underwhelming effort at Chester last time can't be ignored, but he's shaped as if threatening to come good soon ether side of that, better than the bare result here, neither trip nor ground his optimum here; chased leaders, every chance 1f out, effort flattened out, outstayed; best form at 5f; goes particularly well on soft/heavy.

HAWKEYETHENOO (IRE) back down in trip, not seen to best effect, but he's hardly one to make excuses for, his losing run stretching back to over 2 years; dropped out, plugged on near stands rail, nearest at the finish but never a threat.

WATCHABLE looked well-in under a 5-lb penalty for his win at the Curragh, and shaped as if still in good form, not seen to best effect with the draw/ride essentially scuppering his chance; forced pace on far side, went clear over 2f out, closed down and headed in final 100 yds, weakened having been ridden too aggressively; remains one to be interested in, still lightly-raced for a sprinter after all.

RACY has found things tougher since winning at Ascot, even with a good draw/position here; prominent main group, lost place 2f out.

BARNET FAIR again not really seen to best effect; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, kept on.

SUPPLICANT won the Mill Reef this day last year, been difficult to place this time around and never involved here; slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, ran on, never a threat; handicapper beginning to relent and wouldn't be the first good juvenile to bounce back as a 4-y-o.

CAPTAIN RAMIUS (IRE) won this 2 years ago, but on downgrade since and though poorly drawn, had his chance scuppered by the ride; one of 2 that raced in centre, late headway no chance from position.

HAMZA (IRE) better off in listed/pattern races given his rating, but positioning essentially scuppered him here; raced centre, prominent, weakened inside final 1f, unsuited by the way the race developed.

GO FAR didn't shape so well as at Doncaster, but likely still in form, not ideally placed; raced wide, mid-field, kept on.

RENE MATHIS (GER) ran below form without an excuse like at Leopardstown, save that 6f on quickish ground is a sharper than ideal test; in rear, made no impression.

MASS RALLY (IRE) hasn't yet built on eye-catching return from a break at Ebor meeting but this run also best overlooked; raced wide, held up, pushed along 2f out, never a threat, left poorly placed.

JIMMY STYLES won this way back in 2009 but has struggled mainly this year and fared no better after 3 months off; prominent main group, lost place 2f out, weakened.

DUKE OF FIRENZE better judged on Leicester form; raced wide, mid-field, no extra inside final 1f, not ideally placed.

ASHPAN SAM back up in trip, ended up drawn on the wrong side, but wasn't himself in any case; raced far side, mid-field, left behind over 1f out, eased.

BURN THE BOATS (IRE) a keen-goer over further, seemed to struggle with the pace back sprinting; raced far side, held up, made no impression.

YORK GLORY (USA) continues out of sorts; in rear, eased, made no impression.

ALBEN STAR (IRE) has run with credit all year so easy to forgive this rare poor effort; raced far side, pressed leader, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out.

EASTERN IMPACT (IRE) on back foot after early hesitation from rider where to go and this needn't detract from the impression created previously; raced far side, held up, struggling 2f out, made no impression.