Benbatl outsmarts King Of Comedy in Joel Stakes

What you need to know:

  • Bin Suroor, who was winning the mile feature for a third time, is hoping this is the start of a productive autumn/winter for his steed.
  • New Approach, three years earlier, earned the same figure, while in 1997 Xaar finished on 127.

Benbatl (Oisin Murphy 6-1), reminder spectators of his superpowers after leading from pillar to post Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained flagbearer was last seen behind Winx in Australia last winter but managed to see off all his rivals this time, including King Of Comedy.

Zaaki and UAE Jewel, covered the placings. His next engagement is either the Qipco Champion, or, Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Ascot in October.

Bin Suroor, who was winning the mile feature for a third time, is hoping this is the start of a productive autumn/winter for his steed.

Nobody wanted to go up front, so, Oisin took the initiative, which Benbatl enjoyed.

***

Pinatubo's sensational nine-length victory in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes has earned him a rating of 128 with the BHA – higher than the legendary Frankel achieved as a juvenile.

Hen has been hailed as the most exciting 2 year-old out there, in a long long time. Frankel finished his two-year-old campaign on 126 alongside Dream Ahead in 2010.

New Approach, three years earlier, earned the same figure, while in 1997 Xaar finished on 127. Celtic Swing (130 in 1994) was the last two-year-old to be rated higher than Pinatubo. He will now have a crack at the Dewhurst.

SENSATION

A trip to Royal Ascot next year could be on the cards for Scandinavian sensation, Square De Luynes, following an emphatic victory in the Group 3 Stockholm Cup International, which sent his already fantastic reputation soaring limitlessly.

Square De Luynes is trained in Norway by Niels Petersen and considered totally unique. Scandanavia is not often in the news, racing wise.

Square De Luynes bolted up by seven lengths under Robert Havlin at Bro Park, with British challengers Amazing Red and Crowned Eagle seventh and eighth respectively. Petersen has huge optimism: "He's a son of Manduro, capable of even going to Dubai, or the universe. Best to be patient until the right time and place become available." New stories are always welcome.

***

Earthlight (Michael Barzalona 11-4), lit up a packed Rowley Mile when extending his unbeaten run to five in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

Siskin was a late withdrawal after rearing in the stalls, but he would never have shaved Earthlight's composure.

He held oldest rival, Golden Horde back to second, while Summer Sands clipped third at 100-1. Mums Tipple was disappointing after seemingly being lame.

Owned by Godolphin, and trained in France with Andre Fabre, Earthlight is sired by Shamardal, just like Pinatubo. He will not run again this year, which is the right approach to keeping horses fresh.