They split into two groups again here, and despite earlier evidence suggesting that the advantage, if any, lay near the far rail, all but four elected to come up the stands' side. The far side was clearly the place to be, for three of the quartet that raced over there finished in the first four.

PARADISE ISLE had been found wanting when tried at this level before, but she had reportedly done well over the winter and she has a good record at Newmarket. After breaking smartly, she showed good speed throughout, but would have been caught in another stride. She is due to return here for the Palace House Stakes, but her only 5f win was in modest company at Pontefract as a juvenile and so she will make limited appeal.

Les Arcs has made dramatic strides since his new trainer dropped him back to sprint distances, and very nearly completed his six-timer. His Redcar win came on soft ground, but he handled this much quicker ground well and was edging ever closer through the final furlong. He was conceding the winner a penalty and sex allowance, and might not have finished improving yet, but he is not in the Duke of York and will probably have a bit of a break now.

Beckermet excelled himself in third, showing excellent speed throughout and pulling clear of his stands' side rivals in the last 2f. He drifted a little to the right in the closing stages, but kept on commendably well and was beaten only half a length. He has clearly carried last year's improvement into a third season and looks better than ever, for he ‘won' the stands' side race by more than 2l. He deserves to win another Listed race at least, and possibly something even better.

Royal Storm, fit from Dubai, pressed Beckermet on the stands' side for much of the way and kept on well enough to keep the rest of his group at bay. He keeps running well, but has become hard to win with.

One Putra ran respectably, but in this company he didn't quite have the speed to take up his usual prominent position.

Nothing managed to come from off the pace, although, in fairness, Quito, who won this a year ago, and Ashdown Express, who was placed in this race for the third time when second that day, were both making a bit of headway when they ran out of room inside the final furlong.

Baltic King looked to have a good chance here, but he faded after travelling well towards the outside of the main group.

Cape Columbine, a half-sister to high-class sprinter Cape Of Good Hope, also faded after showing up reasonably well on what was her first run at the trip since her win in a valuable auction race here at two. She is a big filly and probably needs a bit more time.[GD]

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