HAYDOCK PARK 15:35

All 17 ran.

Time: 1m 8.49s

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 100.3%

The third of 4 open Group 1s over 6f in the British season, winners of the last 3 of those in attendance, alongside the Commonwealth Cup victors from both this year and last; this was the first time it had included French-trained raiders since African Rose won it in 2008 – a year when it was run at Doncaster – the well-backed Lazzat having already shown form good enough to win a standard renewal and sent off a short-priced favourite despite this being the biggest field for over a decade, such is the current open state of the sprinting division; they split into 2 groups before merging around halfway and the highest-dawn sextet that stayed towards the stand rail were certainly at an advantage, the first 4 coming from that group, including a pair in the same ownership as the aforementioned favourite who led home the bigger, albeit unfavoured pack.

BIG MOJO (IRE) had gone extremely close behind No Half Measures in the July Cup and seemed to benefit from the return to 6f in breaking his Group 1 duck, showing improved form with Buick taking over and becoming the first 3-y-o to win it since 2019, albeit seeming to hold a big positional advantage by racing near the stand rail; raced near side, prominent, produced to lead 2f out, driven out; likeable type, though recent history suggests he's unlikely to follow up such is the openness of the 6f division.

KIND OF BLUE seems to be building up to something, gradually getting closer to his best with each run as he finished runner-up in this race for the second successive year; raced near side, waited with, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden when bumped under 2f out, ran on; was well positioned in tracking the winner through but it's worth remembering that he peaked last autumn and he's likely to make a bold bid for a repeat victory in the Champions Sprint.

FLORA OF BERMUDA (IRE) was quickly back to breaking on terms and gave her all after 8 weeks off, this not far off her best, though she was in the favoured group; raced near side, mid-division, travelled smoothly, effort 2f out, switched 1f out, kept on.

RAGE OF BAMBY (IRE) confirmed that she's a smart sprinter, though like the trio that beat her was favoured by where she raced; raced near side, led overall, headed 2f out, not quicken final 100 yds.

LAZZAT (FR) looked the pick on form judged on his Royal Ascot success (beat 4 of these) but wasn't seen to best effect after being all the rage in the betting, still first home in his group; raced centre, pressed leader, pushed along over 2f out, kept on; remains the best sprinter in Europe on his day and a return to Ascot could see him return to something like his Jubilee form, already well established in the mud and ante-post quotes of 7/1 seem generous.

INISHERIN without the headgear/tongue strap combination this time, hasn't fired at the top level since his Commonwealth Cup win but is best not judged on this run, faring best of those drawn in single figures; raced centre, led group, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

TIME FOR SANDALS (IRE) had finished ahead of the winner both at Ascot and Goodwood and shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, forced to challenge widest of all after being drawn low and well away from the heart of the action, third best in her group; raced centre, mid-field, smooth headway over 2f out, driven under 2f out, not quicken approaching final 100 yds.

SKY MAJESTY (IRE) shaped as if still in good form making just her second outing in a Group 1; raced centre, in touch, threatened briefly 2f out, no extra final 1f.

NO HALF MEASURES had caused a shock when landing the July Cup 8 weeks earlier (Big Mojo second) and simply wasn't in the same form, despite being in the favoured group; raced near side, in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened.

RUN TO FREEDOM didn't have the same advantages as at Newmarket 8 weeks earlier and will continue to come up short at this level; slowly into stride, raced centre/off the pace, headway when baulked 2f out, not sustain effort.

MY MATE ALFIE (IRE) was in the right place given how this unfolded but failed to capitalise under a change of tactics, last of the 6 in the near-side group; raced off the pace, ridden under 3f out, merely closed up late.

BEAUVATIER (FR) is best forgiven the run kept to a sound surface; bumped start, raced centre, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous.

AIN'T NOBODY (IRE) better judged on his Nunthorpe form for now, ending up on the outer flank of his group and furthest away from the principals; raced centre/off the pace, brief headway over 2f out, no further impression; previous comments regarding him seeming best at 5f are worth repeating.

DILIGENT HARRY after 7 weeks off, faced a stiff task; raced centre, mid-division, typically took strong hold, driven over 2f out, carried head bit awkwardly, never involved.

ANNAF (IRE) was never in it back at 6f; raced centre, raced off the pace, brief headway 2f out, left behind entering final 1f; this shouldn't dent his Ayr Gold Cup claims if lining up there, set to race from a BHA mark of 105 which would be lower than the mark he defied in the Portland in 2023, his record in handicaps mainly a solid one when he does contest them.

SAYIDAH DARIYAN (IRE) was back at a more suitable trip but failed to build on her Nunthorpe effort, more to it than being drawn lowest; raced centre, pushed along over 2f out, always behind.

JAMES'S DELIGHT (IRE) seemed unsuited by conditions after 4 months off; raced centre, in touch, ridden 2f out, dropped away.