Muhaarar storms to Commonwealth Cup success

Muhaarar wins the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com

The Charles Hills-trained Muhaarar (10/1) produced a devastating turn of foot to win the Commonwealth Cup by three-and-three quarter lengths from Limato with Anthem Alexander a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

There had been much fanfare ahead of the Commonwealth Cup as it was the first time a Group 1 sprint exclusively for three-year-olds had been run at Royal Ascot, and Muharaar produced a fitting performance, pulverising his high-class rivals with a searing change of speed.

There was a strong gallop in the early stages as Tiggy Wiggy, one of last season’s star juveniles, and the American-trained Cyclogenisis blazed the trail, with the strongly-supported 9/4 favourite Hootenanny positioned just in behind under his rider Ryan Moore.

Muhaarar, who was ridden by Dane O’Neill in the second colours of Sheikh Hamdan after retained rider Paul Hanagan had opted to ride Adaay, was held up in the early stages, but he was always travelling comfortably, and quickly settled matters with an explosive burst.

9/2 second-favourite Limato didn’t travel with his usual fluency, but he responded well to his rider’s urgings and produced a creditable effort to finish runner-up, while Eddie Lynam’s filly Anthem Alexander finished to good effect to get up for third close home.

Muhaarar had finished only eighth on his previous start in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) but he held excuses on that occasion and had put up a notable effort on the clock when winning the Greenham Stakes on return. There was certainly no element of fluke to this performance by Muhaarar and it has to rank as a high-class effort from an exciting young sprinter, his Timeform rating likely to be in the high-120s. For context, Tuesday’s King’s Stand winner Goldream is rated 121, while Sole Power, who has long been a major force on the European sprinting scene, is rated 127.

Winning trainer Charles Hills was understandably delighted in the aftermath and hailed Muhaarar as the best he’d ever trained. “Chriselliam was very good but this horse is just improving and improving. He showed a lot of speed today and gets better with racing. We’ll have a look at all those nice races as he’s got the world at his feet.”

Dane O’Neill was surprised how easily the horse won and stated: "Rarely does a race work out so easily, especially here. He travelled so well and picked up exceptionally".