The ground was officially changed a notch to reflect drying conditions with the back straight, despite being watered in the week, again reportedly faster than the home straight.

DETROIT CITY continues to progress over hurdles, handing out a much more impressive beating to Royals Darling, who was 7lb better off for a length and a half from Newbury last time. Good ground suits him well, although the Kingmambo gelding handled softer ground in his equally progressive Flat career.

He has size and substance and measures his hurdles well. He is an embryo stayer off the Flat and the way he cleared away when shaken up after the second-last having been niggled along upsides the leader out of the back straight was impressive. With a progressive profile and touch of class, he looks just the type to add to his stable's decent record in the Triumph, which will be his next race.

Royals Darling rallied to see off both Linnet and Ouste. This French import should soon be winning.

Ouste travelled well settled at the back and made smooth progress at the end of the back straight. He was probably finding the ground quick enough after his heavy-ground racing in France under pressure in the straight but kept battling away.

Cave Of The Giant again hinted that he will be winning when getting a stiffer test and back on softer ground. He was last into the straight, being strongly ridden but stayed on to the line, gaining on the placed horses from before the last. He has had far less racing than his rivals and is progressing.

Kalmini was keen early and ran into the bottom of the first two hurdles before taking a heavy fall at the fourth. This is not what was wanted in a build-up to the Triumph and she will probably need a confidence booster. (BJ)

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