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A controversial and thoroughly unsatisfactory race with the form debatable despite the strong Group 1 form in the frame.

First there was a steady pace and then Ad Valorem caused severe interference to Peeress, whom he had just subdued, but, in the process, pushed her into Court Masterpiece, who still looked a threat, having edged closer to be within half a length albeit under pressure after travelling well stalking the other two.

Everything that could go wrong for Peeress did as she got lit up after being bumped from behind out of the stalls and saw far too much daylight on the wing of the field and was paying for it late, although still hanging in and sure not to be beaten much more than a length.

All in all, this Group 1 is devalued, although the consistent AD VALOREM adds a deserved second Group 1 in his first win since the Middle Park two years ago. He was no match for his generation's champion Shamardal through his career, but has proved out of the top drawer. He is likely to head back to Goodwood for the Sussex and, if getting similar ground to this, he must be a leading candidate.

The key to Ad Valorem appears to be fast ground as connections were cautiously confident of taking Proclamation this time, feeling the rain-softened ground at Goodwood for the Sussex last year caused his defeat and in running him to three lengths gave them hope.

So it proved, but Proclamation also looked to play his part in being below par, with worries of connections over an interrupted preparation appearing to be borne out as he ran flat when put under pressure, and is seriously flattered by the bare form. In a clean race, he would have been a modest fourth, beaten over three lengths.

It is easy to sympathise with connections of Court Masterpiece, who was clearly robbed of a chance to challenge Ad Valorem, and the stewards have ducked another case of dangerous riding as this was clearly a case of serious interference (categorised in one subsection as "failing for a sustained period of time to take corrective action") which refers them to this issue.

That should trigger the definition of dangerous riding from the former champion which reads "riding in a way which is far below that of a competent and careful rider....to endanger the safety of a horse or rider".

The steady early pace played into the hands of Court Masterpiece, whose Group 1 last year came in a similarly-run Prix Foret at Longchamp. He has seven-furlong speed and, having had to switch to the stands' rail inside the other two, he was closing in and was certainly not beaten with 100 yards to run. The impression was that he would at least have forced a photo even though Ad Valorem was travelling as strongly as any time in the race.

It confirms that he remains progressive and a player on the Group 1 stage when races are run to suit, but he is certainly vulnerable in truly-run contests at this level and distance.

Proclamation has it all to prove from this return after his 290-day absence and first run for new connections. He has not always impressed on fast ground and his strong win in the St James's on the infamous fast ground at this meeting held at York last year might have left its mark. He certainly looks a happier horse with cut and travels so much better on it as he did at Goodwood.

Peeress can prove this running all wrong when getting the rub of the green, and she could cross swords with these rivals again with a different result.

The rest were well beaten off, with Vortex not helping his chances in this exalted company by being keen to get to the front off the steady gallop set by Kandidate, who took a strong grip under restraint.[BJ]

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