SANDOWN PARK 18:55

All 7 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +22 yds

Time: 1m 50.29s Closing Sectional: (4f): 53.9s (101%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 108%, Betfair SP 100.1%

A regular stepping stone to pattern company for later-developing 3-y-o milers, the Gosden team having used the race as the route to the St James's Palace for Without Parole and King of Comedy, winner and narrow second at Ascot, in the last 2 runnings, every chance that the principals in a good renewal will go on to make their mark at a higher level, the first 3 all acquitting themselves very well, 6 of the 7 in the St James's Palace, the first 2 also in the Eclipse.

MOSTAHDAF (IRE) overcame the rise in class, making turf debut and still showing signs of inexperience, a lot to like about him physically and the way that he won his race, every chance he's a high-class colt in the making; held up, travelled well, good headway 3f out, shaken up 2f out, led inside final 1f, kept on well, ridden out; he's entered in the St James's Palace and the Eclipse, likely to stay beyond 1m on pedigree, though a crack at the former is surely on the cards.

HIGHLAND AVENUE (IRE) ran a fine race in defeat, conceding 3 lb to the winner, kept to the inside in the straight and possibly at a disadvantage in doing so; held up, travelled well, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on, battled well; will go on improving, and well up to winning at a higher level, no surprise if he takes his chance in the St James's Palace as well as the winner.

BULLACE ran well upped in grade, looking at home in this company for much of the way, coping well with the much softer ground; tracked pace, took keen hold, led under pressure 2f out, headed inside final 1f, kept on; he's entered in the St James's Palace, though the Jersey might be the best Ascot option for him, though more to come wherever he heads next.

NANDO PARRADO ran to a similar level as last time, stepped up in trip rather than dropping back, such a move encouraged by elements of his pedigree, if not the way he performed last time, hard to say one way or the other whether the move worked, possible that he just isn't quite so good as he was at 2 yrs; led until 2f out, not quicken over 1f out.

MITHRAS back up in trip, seemed to be found out in better company, though a smaller field, steadier pace and much more testing ground were all probably factors in why this race suited him much less well than a big-field handicap had last time; in touch, raced freely, shaken up over 2f out, not quicken, plugged on final 1f; he was strong in the market and could well bounce back under the right circumstances, the Britannia the obvious option, given how he won at Newbury.

IMPERIAL SANDS (IRE) was, on paper at least, closely matched with the winner from their running at Kempton, but he'd already come up short at pattern level and was similarly outclassed on much more testing ground here; waited with, pushed along under 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

INVINCIBLE SWAGGER (IRE) in first-time blinkers and on much softer ground than previously, was out of his depth at this level and soon out of contention once the race began in earnest; in touch, left behind 2f out.