Expert Analysis

Lambourn was sent off the 6/4 favourite to continue Aidan O’Brien’s fine week on the Roodee. He duly obliged, following in the hoofprints of Armory and Point Lonsdale as recent winners of this Group 2 contest for O’Brien. In contrast to that pair, Lambourn arrived here having tasted Group 1 success in his Classic campaign. In fact, he managed the Derby double on both sides of the Irish Sea last season.

This contest may have been on the sharp side for him as he dropped back significantly in distance from his final run last season in the Leger at Doncaster. Ryan Moore set out to make the running but didn’t go that quick, and it was pleasantly surprising that Lambourn had enough tactical speed to win a race at this trip off a relatively slow pace, with a finishing speed percentage of 107.23%.

LAMBOURN may have preferred a stiffer test, but the slow pace meant he was in the perfect position at the head of affairs and the others were forced to make up ground on him as he was quickening. Moore controlled the race, despite his mount racing lazily and didn’t really put pace into the race until approaching the two-furlong marker, even though he was wound up before that. He didn’t always look the likeliest winner, but he kept finding for pressure and got the full Ryan Moore treatment to get the better of Bay City Roller by a neck. I got the feeling he was always holding the winner in the closing stages though. He will surely go back up in trip again now and should be competitive in open Group 1 races through the season. His overall form is probably shy of the best in that division though.

BAY CITY ROLLER tracked the eventual winner throughout and despite looking like it was only a matter of time before he went by Lambourn, I don’t think he ever got his head in front and if he did it was very briefly. He was conceding 5lbs to the winner, so comes out of the race as the best horse at the weights, but I can’t help but feel it is one that got away as the race suited him better than the winner.

ICE MAX deserves to have his effort marked up considering he came from further back in the field. He was stepping up to ten furlongs for the first time and was keen enough in the early stages. That can be forgiven on his return to action and with the slow pace. He didn’t have a perfectly clear run early in the straight either but came home well once he hit full stride to finish a never nearer third, only beaten a length and a half. He was quicker than the winner for both of the final two furlongs and this trip seems to be worth pursuing with him. He should be capable of striking at this level at some stage this season.

SPARKS FLY tracked the first two throughout and had the prime spot on the inside. She shaped well on ground that was certainly quicker than her optimum as she handles soft and even heavy ground. She lacked the pace of the Lambourn and Bay City Roller in the closing stages. Sparks Fly hadn’t run over this far since 2023 and it seems worth another go at least, especially if they could find a similar contest on soft ground.

ROYAL RHYME came from a similar position to his stablemate in the same colours, although not quite as eye-catching late on. He had too much to do at the top of the home straight but stayed on under hands and heels to make up some ground. He could be hard to place and even though this was his second run of the season, his best form tends to be when fresh. Soft ground does seem quite important to him too.

STARFORD continues to improve with every run and considering he was in a handicap off just 67 last June connections must be delighted with this effort. He was held up last, but showed promise in the final half mile, without ever landing a blow. In particular, his final three furlongs were noteworthy and despite having to weave through, his final furlong was the quickest in the field. He could spring a surprise in a big race this season, especially on his preferred soft ground.

HIGH STOCK hasn’t really progressed from his second at this meeting a year ago and was unable to go with the field in the closing stages again here.

SKY SAFARI is an all-weather specialist and was unable to bring his recent good form on an artificial surface onto turf.

KING’S GAMBIT was bitterly disappointing. His losing run stretches back to May 2024 and won’t be ending anytime soon on this evidence.