CHESTER 14:45

Non Runners: BELFILO (IRE). Race Distance Adjustment: +20 yds

Time: 2m 42.05s

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 97.8%

A race that 12 months ago produced Derby winner Ruler of The World and, although that looks unlikely to happen again, it was won this year by another Ballydoyle raider who is a bright prospect, as is the runner-up, the pair of them a class apart from the rest and forging right away in the straight.

ORCHESTRA (IRE) is bred to come into his own with time and distance so it's no surprise that he left last year's maiden form well behind after 9 months off, stronger in the betting than his stablemate and putting up a smart performance to land this Group 3 for Aidan O'Brien for the fifth time in the last 8 seasons, looking set to win by further until inexperience showed out in front in the closing stages; he impressed with how he travelled tracking the pace, tanking along, and was still on the bridle when hitting the front 2f out, showing a good turn of foot to quicken a couple of lengths clear briefly before running green, edging right, giving Romsdal a chance, and on the post it was very tight; this wasn't a performance to make him a strong Derby contender, still quite a long way behind the standard-setters on form, but there is better still to come, probably over longer distances later in the season (closely related to a useful handicapper who stayed 2m), and if he does head to Epsom next then he appeals as the sort that would handle the track and give a good account even if likely to find one or two too good.

ROMSDAL is most progressive, much better with each start, this close-second in a pattern race coming less than 6 weeks after his debut, showing himself to be a smart performer, and he's open to further improvement, especially with even longer trips in mind later in the season, bred to stay further and seeing this out strongest of all; mid-division, pushed along 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, took a while to find full stride but finished with a flourish, just failing; he's not entered in the Derby but could be the sort to run well in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot and the St Leger seems a likely target later in the season for a stable that have an excellent record in that race.

SCOTLAND (GER) isn't progressing, even with a run under his belt, but ran creditably over this 2f longer trip and could perhaps just do with his sights lowering a bit; held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, one paced, no match for principals.

SEAGULL STAR wasn't disgraced at Group level for the first time and didn't help himself with a slow start, not settling fully early on either, and he kept on steadily from 2f out without ever looking a real threat.

STARS OVER THE SEA (USA) isn't stoutly bred on the dam's side and didn't appear to get home over this 2f longer trip; soon led, ridden when hung right over 2f out, headed soon after, faded, found the test too much; likely to prove best up to 1¼m.

AUTOMATED failed to repeat his last effort, which is potentially flattering, basically out of his depth; chased leader, raced freely, weakened from 2f out.

FESTIVAL THEATRE (IRE) faced a stiff task in this grade but ran poorly regardless of the opposition; dwelt, off the bridle before most, beaten 3f out, made no impression.

CARLO BUGATTI (IRE) disappointed in first-time blinkers, more to it than lack of stamina for the 2f longer trip (not bred to stay this far); raced wide, tracked pace, not settle fully, folded tamely 2f out, heavily eased off.