EPSOM DOWNS 16:55 5t1mr

All 16 ran.

Time: 2m 34.43s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 41.5s (106.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 99.2%

The Derby in July, virtually the last act - the Dante and Musidora to come next weekend - of the emergency, almost wholly successful, first part of this singular Flat season, still thankfully at Epsom but run without many of the traditional trials, though the winners of the Two Thousand Guineas and the Lingfield Derby Trial did battle for favouritism, the market leaders eclipsed by perhaps the least likely first 3 in Derby history, the winner the first to go from a maiden win - just 7 days earlier! - to Derby victory since Shaamit in 1996, the third an actual maiden, though both were perfectly bred for the task, by Galileo and related to Derby and Oaks winners, and in the care of the supreme Derby trainer of the modern era; the winner was totally unexposed and is likely to be a less surprising victor looking back at the end of the season than he seemed immediately afterwards, much of the debate on the run of the race, the winner making all and clear for much of the way, slipping the field completely on the run to Tattenham Corner and undoubtedly seen to maximum advantage, the second and third in those positions after about 1f, plenty of those behind not ridden to best effect or pulling their chance away, and yet the inroads made on the winner once the field realised, too late, what was up, were only gradual, the field likely to have needed a fair bit further before any of them got to the winner; that he is the best 1½m+ horse in the race is as likely as not, his performance looking around standard for the race and with more to come.

SERPENTINE (IRE) produced a remarkable performance on his first start out of maiden company, after just 7 days off, bred to come into his own faced with this sort of test (by a Derby winner out of an Oaks second, closely related to one narrowly beaten in the Derby), any doubt that he would have the maturity to cope with the demands of the race answered emphatically, given a better ride than many of his rivals, but not necessarily flattered to a huge degree, the prospect that he might prove the best of these over this sort of trip, given how little racing he's had, definitely a realistic one; led, went with zest, went clear after 4f, quickened further clear approaching Tattenham Corner, ridden over 2f out, kept on, unchallenged; open to further improvement and shouldn't be underestimated wherever he goes next.

KHALIFA SAT (IRE) progressed again, well positioned and seen to maximum advantage, though still at an early stage of his career and perhaps having more to offer as his stamina is further drawn out; raced second, travelled well, ridden entering straight, stuck to task, no impression on winner.

AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (IRE) has a perfect pedigree for the Derby, brother to an Oaks winner out of a half-sister to a Derby winner (by his own Derby-winning sire), so it perhaps isn't entirely surprising that he showed huge improvement on just his third start, well served by the step up in trip; off the bridle long way out, took third soon after start, driven 4f out, stuck to task, no impression on winner; could well benefit from headgear, but may do better still and obviously has the ability to win races.

KAMEKO (USA) strong in the betting shortly before the off, had clearly the best form in the race, but, upped markedly in trip, he failed to show it, disappointing he couldn't pick up the placed pair in the closing stages, his stamina draining away, whether he stayed or not a moot point, unlikely to be asked to go this far again; took keen hold, chased leaders early, settled in touch after, effort entering straight, not quicken, plugged on from 2f out, never on ; he looks an obvious candidate for the International at York, which could be just the race to get his season back on track.

ENGLISH KING (FR) ran creditably, though he probably ought to have finished second, not much going his way, right from the stalls; dived left leaving stalls, held up, short of room home turn, not quicken straight, kept on well final 1f, nearest at the finish; he will stay further and remains open to improvement, the St Leger clearly an option into the autumn.

MOGUL presumably his stable's leading candidate, as he had been according to the ante-post market before the resumption, got back on track to a large extent, even though things didn't really fall his way, perhaps suggesting still more to come under more propitious circumstances; waited with, not settle fully, ridden straight, carried head bit awkwardly, stayed on from 2f out.

RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE) up in trip, failed to repeat the form he showed at Ascot, the pick of the O'Brien team on that run but never looking likely to get involved; held up, not settle fully, ridden home turn, never on ; he'd been rapidly progressive until this, and will likely be seen to better advantage at the trip another day.

VATICAN CITY (IRE) upped markedly in trip, wasn't in quite the same form as at the Curragh, just not looking at home on the track; held up, not settle fully, ridden straight, hung left and ill at ease, plugged on; he remains with potential and may well be dropped back in trip, his future entries all over shorter.

GOLD MAZE ran about as well as could be expected, better than in the Irish version the previous week, probably needing a drop in class to confirm fully his effectiveness at the trip; in touch, ridden over 4f out, not quicken straight.

HIGHLAND CHIEF (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, his early antics giving him little chance of showing his form over this 2f longer trip; pulled hard, tracked pace early, settled towards the rear before halfway, ridden straight, made little impression.

PYLEDRIVER was below form, though can have a line through the run, giving himself little chance by being headstrong and also failing to handle the track; soon steadied, refused to settle, ridden 4f out, ill at ease down the hill, always behind.

MOHICAN HEIGHTS (IRE) was essentially found out in better company, though things might have fallen more kindly than they did; slowly into stride, held up, travelled well, short of room 3f out, ridden after, made no impression; he may yet do better with his sights lowered a bit, especially as there are stamina reserves to be tapped into (likely to stay 1¾m+).

MYTHICAL (FR) has done little to justify his presence in this company and although he ran better than on his return, he will need a drop in grade before he's of any interest; steadied at the start, in rear, labouring straight, always behind.

MAX VEGA (IRE) over 2f further, was well held, little in his form suggesting he was worth his place in the field; prominent main group, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out.

EMISSARY was well held in first-time cheekpieces, up in grade, still looking as if the experience was needed; slowly into stride, in rear, ran green, brief headway home turn, dropped away early in straight.

WORTHILY (USA) was very short on experience for this sort of test, but he just ran no sort of race, beaten well before the 2f longer trip became a factor; dropped out, weakened quickly early in straight, eased off.