2.55 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) 5f

Art Power: One of six overseas runners in this top-level event. Likeable sprinter is unbeaten in four visits to the Curragh, winning readily on each occasion, but has only ever met three British-trained sprinters on these shores - and none are of the level of Highfield Princess or Bradsell. Any time he has won at five furlongs, the word ‘soft’ has been in the going description, so will find this a proper test and has been beaten on all 12 previous runs in Group 1 company. Clearly high class but may require a couple of the big guns to misfire.

Bouttemont: Officially has 8lb to find on official ratings with Bradsell and Highfield Princess but appears to have been getting quicker with age and should appreciate the sound surface on offer. Bare form means he needs to improve but wouldn’t be a shock if he posted a big effort and reached the frame at an each-way price.

Equality: Has taken his form to new heights in recent seasons, starting 2022 with a mark of 82 but up to 110 when a respectable sixth in the Nunthrope last month (his first appearance in Group 1 company). Has two and a quarter lengths to find with Highfield Princess on that evidence and others more attractive but might pick up some minor prize money.

Moss Tucker: Admirable homebred comes here on the back of his biggest win yet in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes here four weeks ago. Proved again on that occasion that he is a dangerous competitor when not overly pestered on the lead but difficult to envisage he’ll get things his own way this time with overseas sprinters in town.

Aesop’s Fables: Form of his second to Ocean Quest on seasonal debut and third behind Shaquille at Newbury in May doesn’t read too badly now but will need to sharpen up considerably from finishing last in the Nunthrope on his return from a 97-day break. Admittedly was drawn well away from where the action unfolded at York, though, and the stable’s last winner of this race, Fairyland (2019), was also down the field in the Nunthrope.

Bradsell: Unbeaten on first two starts, including a win in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, before injured as 11/8 favourite in the Phoenix Stakes and absent for rest of two-year-old season. Took a couple of runs this year to get back to concert pitch and roared back to life when beating Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot in June. Drawn a little away from the action when third and three quarters of a length behind same rival in the Nunthrope. Bound to relish the nature of this track.

Ano Syra: Capable filly when operating at the top of her game. However, rating of 100 leaves her with plenty to find and has yet to win in blacktype company so just getting placed here would be an excellent result.

Get Ahead: Poorly drawn when eighth and beaten three and three quarters of a length in the Nunthrope. Shaped as though she might have finished closer if drawn lower but yet to win beyond listed level (beaten a short-head in a French Group 2 in June) and a clear career-best is required to get any Group 1 blacktype here.

Highfield Princess: Tremendous servant to connections, who have been extremely sporting to race on with her as a six-year-old this season. Much too good for her rivals in this race 12 months ago and fine run when second in the Nunthrope last year but hard to say that she’s any better now than was the case last season. However, she’s highly consistent for a sprinter and a reproduction of her performance here last year would make her tough to beat again.

Ladies Church: Capable sprinter when all falls right but has been disappointing since her impressive seasonal debut win at Naas in May. At her best when getting quick ground, though, so easy to forgive her Curragh and Goodwood efforts this summer on soft. First-time blinkers now added in a bid to relight her spark after finishing down the field in the Nunthrope.

Conclusion

Highfield Princess sets a fair standard if returning in the same sort of form as last year but Bradsell has done little wrong and had her measure when they met at Royal Ascot. The race wouldn’t have unfolded ideally for him at York when less than a length away from John Quinn’s star mare and he could turn the tables now. Of the each-way alternatives, Bouttemont is an interesting addition to the race and could have more to give.