A strong pace brought the cream to the top with the exception of Crosspeace, who failed the new stamina test, having had every chance into the final three furlongs.

FRANK SONATA, a close second in this race last year before a similar effort in the Group 3 John Porter, was reported to have come back stronger this year and on a tenuous line through Shabernak, who was third last year, he has improved a shade.

Certainly he went about his business in strong fashion to have the race won into the final two furlongs. The ground dictates his programme as he must have cut, so this year's Newbury race looms large with connections also eyeing a Group 3 in Baden-Baden over two miles as an alternative to the Yorkshire Cup if the ground dries out.

He certainly deserves a Group 3 success and official ratings here would suggest he may have found the necessary 7-8lb to make him a big player at that level.

Dancing Bay would have finished closer to him but for interference early in the straight when no-hoper Sworn In weakened in his path. He did well to recover quickly enough to give chase into the final furlong but was readily held. It still has the look of a personal best effort after good enough efforts over hurdles this winter but he remains difficult to place to advantage off his rating.

Larkwing ran well enough on ground that was probably softer than ideal although Crosspeace was gasping in the final furlong in showing he did not get this longer trip.

Casual Glance has run well enough on official ratings and she was badly outpaced early in the straight before staying on late to suggest she might get further now.

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