Expert Analysis

A race of varying strength over the years, won by the likes of Dalakhani, Bago and Thunder Snow when at Longchamp but with three unexceptional winners since switched here. Sunway looks an average winner by recent standards, rather than better, but he did well to get back up after the favourite had nosed ahead of him. The pace was a bit muddling, a 24.23s final 400m translating to 109.7% finishing speed.

SUNWAY (112 here, 109 previously) showed a bit more improvement to win this valuable prize, showing a good attitude in the process. He raced close up a little wide, disputing the lead at halfway and going on for sure with 600m to go, kept closest to the stand rail and coming again after being headed briefly by the runner-up. A brother to the Champion Stakes winner Sealiway, he should stay 10f and possibly be suited by it.

ALCANTOR (111 here, 108+3 previously) is up there with the best French-trained 2-y-os, inferior to Ramatuelle and arguably Beauvatier but probably nothing else, looking like winning this for much of the closing stages but just unable to resist the rallying winner. He was held up and went freely enough before improving a bit wide to around 200m out, edging slightly right thereafter. A son of New Bay, he is likely to stays 2000m/10f.

PORTLAND (107 here, 100 previously) ran his best race yet, seeming suited by 1600m in these conditions, taking a while to settle but staying on pretty well at the death.

SAGANTI (106 here, 103 previously) ran well after a slowish start, every chance in the home straight until no extra late on.

NAVY SEAL (103 here and previously) ran creditably after making the running until 600m out.

HAVANA CIGAR (102 here and previously) ran creditably following a slow start but seems exposed as no better than useful already.

GREY MAN (0 here, 103 previously) went as if not right, though he did not help himself with going freely for a long way.