Expert Analysis

A rematch of the first 3 from Epsom but on different ground, just on the firm side of good here where it had been good to soft and heading towards soft in the Derby itself. The conditions assisted a relatively quick overall time – the 4^th-fastest in the last 20 years – but so did a strong pace and it represented a good test under the conditions, the winner’s final 2f of 25.07s producing a relatively slow 99.2% finishing speed. Lambourn was a deserving winner again, but there were narrow margins from 3^rd to 7^th and the probability is that this form is smart, rather than better, and perhaps a little below what he achieved faced with even more of a test at Epsom.

LAMBOURN (116+ here, 119 previously) became his brilliant trainer’s 17^th winner of this race, doing so in similar fashion to the 2 who preceded him (Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles) in being workmanlike compared to what might have been expected, coping with the firmer ground without it playing so much to his strengths. He was soon disputing the lead at a strong pace, was pushed along fully 4f out and nosed ahead 3f out, soon joined again before asserting under pressure in the final 1f. He looks vulnerable against the best older horses at this trip, and perhaps against some emerging talents from his own age group, but has a splendid attitude and is likely to lap up the longer distance of the St Leger if connections go down that route further down the line.

SERIOUS CONTENDER (115 here, 99+ previously) paid a compliment to Merchant, who beat him readily in a handicap at Royal Ascot the time before, but must have improved plenty himself (hardly the 1^st “exposed” type from this stable to do that). Disputing the lead early and remaining close up, he improved gradually 3f out and threw down a strong challenge after the 2f pole, held only near the finish. He should be in contention for the top 12f races for 3yos hereafter, though this form falls a bit short of what is likely to be needed to beat the best older horses.

LAZY GRIFF (111 here, 113 previously) made eye-catching late headway – fastest of all in the final 1f – but that was partly a function of there having been such a strong pace earlier, and he could make little impression when first asked, having been held up and come a bit wide into the home straight. This confirms he is smart, and he should be at least as good at 14f when the time comes.

TENNESSEE STUD (111 here and previously) confirmed Derby form rather than improved on it, always around the same place and staying on.

SIR DINADAN (110+ here, 104 previously) did well as things unfolded, helping set a strong pace and still bang there until weakening over 1f out. He has improved with each run and may not have finished yet. His effort pays something of a compliment to Amiloc, who beat him the time before and has won again since.

GREEN IMPACT (110 here and previously) ran as well as could be expected, always around the same place and merely keeping on, likely to be effective if tried at 10f.

THRICE (109 here, 102 previously) was 5^th choice of the stable in terms of betting and actually ran well, initially prominent then in mid-field, unable to improve.

SHACKLETON (104 here and previously) had been 4^th in a slightly substandard Queen’s Vase and ran as well here despite being quite well beaten.

PUPPET MASTER(93 here, 103 previously) was slowly away and always behind, failing to run his race.

PRIDE OF ARRAS (82 here, 111 previously) is becoming a mystery, another dire effort here unable to be excused on account of the track, and there is a chance he has developed some ideas about the game. He was niggled at times at an early stage, then going OK again over 4f out before finding nothing. The Dante form has taken some knocks but categorically cannot be as bad as he has since made it look.