Newmarket Thursday

THE Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes was expected to prove a launching pad for Coronation Cup runner-up Al Aasy (William Haggas/Jim Crowley), but he was once again outbattled having travelled much the best, and his Group 1 credentials now look a little shaky.

Sir Ron Priestley (Mark Johnston/Franny Norton) had the fast ground in his favour, and was in his element setting the fractions before keeping on in typically courageous fashion to hold off the odds-on favourite by a neck, with Star Safari (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) beaten a further two and a half lengths in third.

This success was a sixth in the contest for Mark Johnston.

The 100/30 second choice in the betting has twice disappointed on soft ground at Ascot, but he is a most genuine and consistent performer when getting a sound surface, and his record in group company in such conditions reads 121131.

It’s worth noting that he was carrying a 3lb penalty for his win over Pyledriver in the Jockey Club Stakes earlier in the season, and was conceding that weight to all his rivals.

He was hailed by the winning rider as “A proper warrior”, and it’s hard to argue with that.

Al Aasy was far from disgraced, but he has done his winning this season on the bridle, and while he’s an exceptionally strong traveller, his inability to convert his last couple of opportunities despite trading very short in running must beg questions of his resolution, or at least make those who have given him extra credit for the ease of his Group 3 wins think again about his absolute merit.

He may yet head to Ascot for the King George, but will need to find some steel if he’s to gain the Group 1 win which looked a formality prior to this. William Haggas suggested it was doubtful in his post race interview later on.