YORK 15:45 n5h72

All 11 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +32 yds

Time: 2m 11.56s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.8s (106.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 100.4%

A Dante that seemed to revolve around the returning and unbeaten The Lion In Winter who’d already achieved a level good enough to have won a typical running of this, though he got into a state at the start and fluffed his lines; an ordinary pace lifted from halfway when the fourth kicked on and they finished in a bit of a heap behind the first 2, the time over 2 seconds slower than the preceding Middleton with the bare form unable to be rated too highly as a result, though that’s not to say it wasn’t an informative affair, the least-exposed and much-improved winner value for more than the bare result given both the trouble he met and the ease with which he asserted his authority once finally in the clear, and he's fully deserving of his place towards the head of the Derby betting.

PRIDE OF ARRAS (IRE) very much took the eye beforehand 9 months on from his debut and maintained his unbeaten record, not only having clearly having learnt plenty but appearing to have strengthened up appreciably in that period, too, relishing the step up in trip and value extra given how quickly he asserted having had to wait quite some time for a path between the leaders, no sooner had he finally found one than he was in control of the race over 1f out, far from all out through the last ½f to boot; a fine-looking type with bags of scope, this puts him firmly in the Derby picture, the longer trip likely to be within range and the track likely to pose no problems when considering 2 of his dam's first 3 foals have won round Epsom, and he has leading claims of becoming the sixth winner of this to follow up there this century.

DAMYSUS is still very raw but continues to improve all the time, already proven as a smart performer and even better probably still to come as he matures; held up, headway under pressure out wide 2f out, hung left entering final 1f, ran on; will stay 1½m and he's booked his ticket to Epsom on this evidence, though lingering greenness as well as the track there would be concerns.

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE runner-up to The Lion In Winter in the Acomb here last year, ran at least as well as he had in the Guineas, the first to appear from that race, much more relaxed beforehand (wore red hood), this trip probably as far as he wants, however, where his Derby credentials are concerned, while his ungainly action would be a concern at Epsom, too; close up, driven 3f out, every chance 2f out, wandered from over 1f out, kept on.

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE presumably much fitter for his comeback, showed improved form fitted with cheekpieces and returned to an orthodox track, seen to pretty good effect from the front though he did stick at it in the style of one who'll stay at least 1½m; led, kicked on early in straight, headed under 3f out, kept on again final 1f; the percentage call is that he's likely to progress further.

NIGHTWALKER whose Feilden third is proving strong form, shaped pretty well upped even further in trip, catching the eye with how he saw things out under hands-and-heels riding from a fair way back, still far from the finished article; dwelt, raced off the pace, pushed along 3f out, carried head bit awkwardly and hung left 2f out, kept on well final 1f; from an excellent Juddmonte family, his dam a half-sister to St Leger winner Logician (also by Frankel), he looks the part and is sure to be suited by at least 1½m, in the Derby but the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot looking more the race for him.

THE LION IN WINTER (IRE) had much the best form as a juvenile, his Acomb defeat of Wimbledon Hawkeye and Ruling Court 9 months earlier having worked out exceptionally well (missed the Dewhurst due to a bruised foot), and was ed into odds-on favouritism, so this must go down as a disappointment, getting rather stewed up at the start which, mixed with early freshness, was probably a key contributor to this performance, spared a hard race once his chance had gone; took strong hold first 2f, settled mid-field, effort over 2f out, beaten when short of room 1f out; should stay at least this far and, judged on the way both Auguste Rodin and City of Troy bounced back from very disappointing 3-y-o returns to win the Derby in the past 2 seasons, it's too soon be writing him off for Epsom, and his fluent action suggests he should be fine on the track.

TUSCAN HILLS (FR) who looked forward after 7 months off, lost his unbeaten record but ran as well as could be expected in truth, getting into contention but his challenge not really lasting out; mid-division, progress under 3f out, not quicken approaching final 1f.

SEA SCOUT (IRE) seemed to run at least as well as at Epsom, though would have been beaten further in a more truly-run affair; in touch, took keen hold, led briefly under 2f out, one paced.

ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT whose half-sister had routed the Middleton field around half an hour earlier, is better judged on previous form, this not the day for a change of tactics; raced off the pace, still plenty to do over 2f out, never landed a blow, left poorly placed; should stay 1¼m.

MISTER RIZZ was held back by his inexperience pitched into much deeper waters, this seeming to come far too soon in his development; very awkward leaving stalls, in rear, met some trouble over 3f out, hung left from 2f out, never involved; there's plenty to like about him both on looks and pedigree, and he's likely to do even better at some stage.

ALPINE TRAIL (FR) had his unbeaten run ended, possibly finding the race coming too soon less than a fortnight on from Newmarket; prominent, out wide early, very close up under 3f out, edged left well over 1f out, faded, not persevered with once held.