ALCOHOL Free (124) confounded her trainer, but not owner Jeff Smith, when producing an extraordinary performance on the clock to land the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

Andrew Balding had questioned the wisdom of running his four-year-old filly in the six-furlong Group 1 at the weekend, only to be overruled by Smith who was rewarded with an exhilarating display from his filly in the hands of a resurgent Rob Hornby.

The Kingsclere filly has now won Group 1 races in each of her three years racing, with the success on Saturday a clear career-best time-figure in a contest where the first three home in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee filled out the places immediately behind the daughter of No Nay Never.

Surprise

It was a surprise to hear Hornby say his mount was unorganised early as the visual impression was she was always travelling strongly, which was a stark contrast to Ascot when she was beaten a couple of lengths by Naval Crown (122).

Well positioned close to the strong pace set by her Ascot conqueror, Hornby cajoled the four-year-old into closer contention before becoming more vigorous in his encouragement at the furlong marker.

The response from his partner was thrilling as she reeled off a final furlong of 12.29s, stretching a length and a quarter clear at the line with ears pricked.

To add further credence to the finishing effort, Artorius (120) closed his race off in 12.34s, having raced nowhere near the strong pace as he gained ground on Naval Crown who covered the same ground in 12.59s. The closing sectionals from the three-furlong point show the Australian sprinter to be fastest as he stopped the clock at 33.96s, compared to the winner’s split of 33.98s and Naval Crown’s 34.68s.

The decisive attribute in winning the race was Alcohol Free’s ability to find a turn of foot after sitting close to the strong pace.

A defence of her Sussex Stakes crown is reported to be next on the agenda for the winner and a clash with Baaeed. The same speed at the finish will be as essential, as will settling early over the longer trip. I can see her at least reversing early season form with Real World and making the places.

Next target

Naval Crown has the Haydock Sprint Cup as his next target where his fast early pace will make him difficult to catch over the less demanding six furlongs.

Connections of Artorius will hope the extra half furlong of the Maurice de Gheest helps their colt land his European Group 1, while I would also expect Creative Force (116), who ran to a similar level as last year in closing off in 34.62s, to be a different proposition when defending his Champions Sprint title at Ascot on Champions Day, especially if encountering slower ground.

Double Or Bubble (112) emerged as best of the group which tracked Twilight Jet and she finished closer to Naval Crown than at Ascot. A closing sectional of 34.62s reads well in the context of the race and a return to seven furlongs and ease in grade, possibly on Newmarket’s other course where she is so effective, can see Chris Wall’s talented filly add to her early season success.

Jumby and Cryuff

Turn worth tracking

BLESS Him (112) found everything dropping right for him in the Bunbury Cup as he landed the showpiece handicap his consistency deserves.

The action developed standside with Jamie Spencer running against the rail to cover the concluding three furlongs in 34.47s. The eight-year-old has only raced over seven furlongs five times, winning twice. The International Stakes heritage handicap at Ascot on King George day looks an ideal next target.

There were plenty of good performances behind the winner, with Jumby (109+) and Cruyff Turn (102+) worthy of a tracker entry. Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt broke well enough to convince his problems at the stalls are behind him while Cruyff Turn looks primed to return to York at the Ebor meeting. Tim Easterby’s gelding has won both his starts over a mile on the Knavesmire.

As there were four races over the trip of seven furlongs, there are plenty of comparisons which can be drawn with the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, where the overall time suggested the event was below standard.

Isaac Shelby (98+) clocked a closing three-furlong sectional, second only to Alcohol Free on the day. In covering the ground in 34.16s the son of Night Of Thunder has earned the opportunity of stepping up again on his next assignment, along with Victory Chance (98+) who holds an entry in the National Stakes.

Of the two supporting handicaps, I prefer the performances of Miss Carol Ann (102) and Silken Petals (102) who fought out the finish of the fillies’ handicap following a frantically run affair.

The overall time sat between the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and the Bunbury Cup with Roger Varian’s winner posting a closing sectional of 34.62s. Silken Petals challenged on the opposite side of the field and closed off in 34.73s, Phil McBride’s filly can land a handicap off her current rating.

To compare, Jimi Hendrix (100) posted an effort of 35.05s in following up his excellent Britannia Handicap run and Alseyoob (90) stopped the clock at 34.71s in winning on her debut.