EPSOM DOWNS 16:30 6t5t3k

All 12 ran.

Time: 2m 34.93s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 41.55s (106.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 99.7%

A representative field for the blue riband of the turf, with the winners of most of the major trials in the line-up, though it was the Guineas form that came to the fore, not, as anticipated, in the shape of the Guineas winner himself Saxon Warrior, but that of the beaten favourite at Newmarket Masar, who bounced back from that reverse to give Godolphin its first Derby winner, his performance at least that of an average winner, with the first 5 finishing clear at the end of a strongly-run race, the form seemingly very straightforward to interpret, the runner-up credited with marked improvement, though no reason to doubt that, given how much of a stayer he looks.

MASAR (IRE) hadn't had the rub of the green when favourite for the Guineas and showed himself to even better advantage with things going his way, upped markedly in trip, proving well suited to the demands of the race and strong at the finish of a very well-run race; waited with, travelled well, headway over 3f out, led under 2f out, stayed on strongly final 1f, ridden out; he's an intended runner in the Irish Derby and will clearly take plenty of beating at the Curragh in this form, though Saxon Warrior might well be a formidable opponent on a more conventional track, were they to meet again, such a clash fascinating in anticipation.

DEE EX BEE has taken his form to a new level on his last 2 starts, as his stamina has been drawn out, this searching test at the trip enabling him to outpoint the third after the winner had gone, running to a very smart level, no reason why he won't back it up when he faces a similar or even a greater test of stamina; soon steadied, effort straight, every chance under 2f out, not quicken, kept on stoutly well inside final 1f; he may well take his chance in the Irish Derby, though he's got St Leger written all over him.

ROARING LION (USA) lost little in defeat back at the highest level, coping well with a very different test to the Dante, looking more straightforward than he sometimes does, beaten fair and square, staying the trip but run out of second late on; held up, travelled well, headway 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, kept on, no extra and edged out of second final 50 yds; while he can win races at this trip it might be that a campaign over shorter brings greater dividends, 1¼m likely to be his optimum, a route ultimately to the Champion Stakes on the cards.

SAXON WARRIOR (JPN) was a strong favourite after his success in the Guineas, despite a wobble in the market earlier in the week when the draw was made, stall 1 far from ideal, but he wasn't in the same form, beaten by 2 he'd beaten at Newmarket, very much on his toes beforehand (unlike before the Guineas) and perhaps finding the experience getting to him, not so effective on the track as the other principals either; waited with, travelled well, effort when short of room 3f out, ridden after, hung left and not quicken, kept on final 1f but made little impression; he may yet emerge the best of this field, well worth another go at this trip for all that 1¼m may ultimately prove his ideal, and would likely pose much more of a threat to the winner were they to meet again in the Irish Derby.

HAZAPOUR (IRE) ran creditably in form in the face of a stiffer task, needing to improve to feature against the Guineas trio, but he left the firm impression that he found this too much a test of stamina (despite all the stamina on his dam's side, his sire's progeny generally better over shorter), going as well as any to 2f out, and he remains open to improvement when returned to shorter; tracked pace, took keen hold, led on bridle 3f out, headed under 2f out, no extra final 1f; he doesn't have quite the physique of the quartet that beat him but he remains likely to make an impact at the highest level.

DELANO ROOSEVELT (IRE) hadn't looked a plausible Derby candidate at Leopardstown, despite the smart level of the form, and he ran about as well as could be expected in the circumstances, likely to be suited by the longer trip another day; slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, left behind soon after, plugged on.

YOUNG RASCAL (FR) had beaten the runner-up in the Chester Vase when stepping out of maiden company, but wasn't able to carry on that rapid progress, this perhaps coming too soon after such a big effort last time; held up, shaken up approaching straight, left behind 3f out; it's still early days with him and he could well bounce back with his sights lowered.

THE PENTAGON (IRE) had been expected to be suited by the step up in trip, but ran below form, even allowing for the stiffness of his task, a fair bit further behind the pair that beat him at Leopardstown, not seeing his race out; handy, ridden over 3f out, weakening when short of room over 2f out.

KEW GARDENS (IRE) backed at long odds, had beaten the runner-up in clear-cut fashion in the Zetland Stakes last autumn, but he hasn't gone on in anything like the same way, well held after playing a major role in the leaders overdoing things in front; led 2f, close up after, led briefly again home turn, weakened quickly 3f out; he'll benefit from a drop in grade, though has questions to answer.

SEVENNA STAR (IRE) on less testing ground, needed to improve significantly to play a hand in this company, but he was on the back foot almost from the off; shuffled back soon after start, labouring 4f out, always behind; he is bred to stay this trip, this no run on which to judge his stamina.

KNIGHT TO BEHOLD (IRE) had been given a well-judged ride when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial, more needed at this higher level, the ride he got not of the same standard, asked to do far too much and a spent force early in the straight, better judged on previous efforts; led after 2f, headed home turn, weakened quickly 3f out.

ZABRISKIE (IRE) was an optimistic runner, even with the longer trip likely to be up his street, and he never really looked comfortable with the grade or the pace; raced off the pace, labouring badly soon after halfway, dropped away early in straight; he holds an entry in the Queen's Vase, something like that a more realistic option.