THE highlight of Newmarket Friday on the clock was the performance of Al Suhail (116) who made every yard of the running on his way to an emphatic victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes. The time figure portrays William Buick went quickly from the outset despite the proximity of his rivals as the field passed the three-furlong pole.

However, from there to the line the son of Dubawi was in a league of his own as he posted a closing section of 34.83 seconds, which neither second-placed With Thanks (110) (35.22 seconds) or third-placed Chindit (110) (35.28 seconds) could match.

Suited by softer

Having won a listed event at Ascot the previous week, With Thanks was taking another step forward here and is ideally suited by softer ground. William Haggas’s filly could add to her winning tally if presented with an opportunity to race on soft or heavy ground which has yielded four wins from five attempts in the past.

Jouska (105) was last and appearing to be going nowhere at the beginning of the section before picking up late to post the second fastest closing split (35.15 seconds) of the race, giving the impression a mile will see her to better effect.

Henry Candy’s filly has prospered on soft ground in the past and may enjoy some luck in a lesser grade.

The Group 3 Pride Stakes brought Friday to a conclusion with the strong-travelling Ville De Grace (106) (36.36 seconds) holding the late challenge of Lilac Road (105) (36.04 seconds) who came from almost last to mount the only serious challenge to Michael Stoute’s progressive filly.

Harrington filly

Jessica Harrington’s filly Climate (98+) is also worth another chance as her passage through the closing stages was interrupted on more than one occasion.

In the circumstances a closing sectional of 37.11 seconds was respectable.