There was no Notable Speech on show but the second and third to him at Newmarket were here, plus a couple of smart 2-y-os from last year, and it was probably a slightly above-average renewal of Ireland’s first colts’ classic. The pace was an important factor, with little of it on early and the leader getting to halfway about 10 lengths behind par. In that respect the winner did particularly well to come from a few lengths down himself, while the third deserves marking up also, if not by quite as much. Rosallion’s final 2f time of 22.84s equates to a finishing speed of 108.6%.
ROSALLION (117+ here and previously) went one better than in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and in the process advanced his claims for being able to turn the tables on Notable Speech who beat him there when they meet again. This was run very differently to that earlier contest (which featured a very strong pace, which Rosallion was close to), and he ended up quite some way back in mid to rear at halfway, improving wide 2f out and showing a fine turn of foot to get there in the final stride or 2. A mile seems to suit him pretty well and going round a bend at Royal Ascot will be no problem for him given his French win (on firm ground) late last year.
HAATEM (117 here, 114 previously) almost landed a big one, running the race of his life in doing so, tracking the initially steady pace, improving well to lead well over 1f out but run down near the finish. He would probably be OK returned to 7f given a bit of a test.
RIVER TIBER (113+ here, 110 previously) ran well on his return and first try at further than 6f, likely to build on it as he came from a bit off the pace (though not as far as the winner), ridden and running on in the final 1f without quite getting there, slightly short of room right at the end.
UNQUESTIONABLE (102 here, 114 previously) shaped as if this will do him good in performing about a fair way below his Breeders’ Cup form, in second before disputing the lead briefly 2f out then one paced.
TAKE ME TO CHURCH (96 here, 100 previously) ran creditably in the face of a stiff task though did get the run of things to a degree, leading at an initially steady pace until well over 1f out.
ATLANTIC COAST (96 here, 102 previously) shaped a bit better than the result, some way back and keeping on without getting anywhere near the principals.
MOUNTAIN BEAR (93 here, 110 previously) shaped better than the result, briefly looking as if he might come through from off the pace to challenge (little more than a length down on the winner 2f out), only to hang right and find little. He had shown he stays 8f, at least on firm going, when second to Unquestionable in the US.
BRIGHT STRIPES (76 here, 102 previously) refused to settle and was always behind.
