Expert Analysis

There was not much strength in depth to this, but the 2 most interesting horses came to the fore, putting daylight between themselves and their rivals in a well-run race run in a very good overall time, and the obvious conclusion is that the winner has put up a high-class effort, with the runner-up a bit – but not a lot – below his very best. Rain had turned the ground just about “good to soft” by this stage, and the winner’s 24.57s (102.0% finishing speed) is close to par under the conditions.

WHITE BIRCH (123 here, 114 previously) looks a very good horse under these conditions (though he was none too shabby on quicker when placed in the Dante and Derby last year), of an easy surface and a strong pace at an extended 10f, the time he posted suggesting Auguste Rodin would have had problems dealing with him even had that one been at his very best. He was held up on the inner mid to rear, switched out approaching the straight and improved smoothly to lead well over 1f out, ridden and edging right but running on strongly to the line. The other top 10f/12f performers will not find things easy with him around.

AUGUSTE RODIN (117 here, 123 previously) disappointed some but pulled a long way clear of the remainder in a fast overall time and was probably only a little below his very best, losing a length or 2 at the start but soon in mid-field, improving to lead for a short while after 2f out but outpaced by the winner before keeping on. He’s likely to need a good pace if kept to this trip and, obviously, stays 12f.

CRYPTO FORCE (102 here, 107 previously) ran respectably but looked in trouble some way out before staying on. He may not be quite as good as he was (missed 3yo season) but it is early days.

ELEGANT MAN (99 here, 112 previously) had no easy task but underperformed slightly on what was his debut on turf, unable to get to the front but bang there until wilting 2f out.

LUMIERE ROCK (93 here, 109 previously) stood up well to her racing last year (including in France and the US) and shaped as if this will bring her on without the cheekpieces that she had worn of late. She was prominent early but niggled in mid-field by halfway and one paced late on.

HANS ANDERSEN (95 here, 100 previously) set a strong pace until well over 1f out and was not discredited in the circumstances.

LORD MASSUSUS (90 here, 108 previously) failed to settle in rear early and was a spent force late on.

MASHHOOR (0 here, 101 previously) had worked into a prominent position by halfway but emptied late on and may not be in much form right now.