THE COMMONWEALTH

CUP (GROUP 1)

THE brand-new Commonwealth Cup offered a major chance to three-year-old sprinters and looked fiercely competitive.

However, it was won in dazzling style by Charlie Hills’ Muhaarar, who shot clear on the far side and decimated his field with ante-post favourite Limato faring best of those on the opposite wing, coming through late to chase him up at just under four lengths.

Eddie Lynam’s Anthem Alexander ran a fine race in third but Ryan Moore mania had rather taken over where American challenger Hootenanny was concerned. 9/4 was a terrible price against opposition of this calibre and the horse was beaten soon after half-way.

Olivier Peslier and Goken went very fast for a good part of the journey and it was no great surprise to hear that the winning time was a very quick 1min 12.05secs. Limato rather missed the kick coming out of the stalls and was left with quite a lot of ground to make up towards the near side but it mattered little because, when Dane O’Neill asked Muhaarar to go, he simply flew and immediately settled the issue.

Paul Hanagan had the choice of Sheikh Hamdan’s pair and unsurprisingly opted for Adaay (7th), who was too good for Limato at York last time. That left Muhaarar to the Sheikh’s number two O’Neill, who was riding his fourth Royal Ascot winner but his first for 12 years. Originally a highly respected rider at Richard Hannon’s, he has also partnered good winners for Henry Candy, trainer of Limato.

“I’m delighted for him, it’s marvellous,” Candy remarked in typically generous fashion.

Thus a good week for Hills became even better and he was quick to point out that Muhaarar (10/1) had the form in the book if his non-staying effort in the French 2,000 Guineas, where he was poorly drawn anyway, was overlooked. He won the Gimcrack at two and just lasted home in the Greenham at Newbury back in the spring.

“He’s very versatile,” the trainer said. “He tried a mile, of course, and we considered the Jersey (won by stable-companion Dutch Connection) but Sheikh Hamdan made the decision to come here, so it’s all down to him.

“The horse has the sprinting world at his feet. I’ve no problem with Paul’s decision; he naturally respected Willie Haggas’ horse and it’s fine as far as I’m concerned.”

“It was very easy, a bit surreal actually,” O’Neill added. “There wasn’t any real danger on my side so I thought I’d better ride my own race. He showed tremendous speed.”