LINGFIELD PARK 15:50

All 14 ran.

Time: 2m 1.41s

Overrounds: Industry SP 126%, Betfair SP 99.5%

This looked a strong renewal of the Winter Derby, featuring the last 2 winners and one that regularly plies his trade at a higher level, but they all underperformed, Robin Hoods Bay showing form just on a par with the standard usually required and under a well judged ride too, challenging late after the early pace had been overly strong.

ROBIN HOODS BAY was runner-up in this last year, and hadn't been seen to best effect when fourth behind Grandeur in the trial for this last time, but with things panning out better for him on this occasion, he didn't need to improve much to land the most valuable success of his career, due reward for a host of creditable efforts on the surface this winter; held up, effort over 2f out, stayed on to lead final 50 yds, kept going well, well ridden; the valuable event over C&D on Good Friday will surely be next on his agenda, but, given how this panned out, he wouldn't be sure to maintain these placings with a couple of these rivals.

WINDHOEK after 8 weeks off, was well backed to build on his successful reappearance for this yard in a Meydan handicap, and though only matching that form rather than building on it, deserves extra credit given he was hardly ideally placed; held up, forced into making headway out wide over 2f out, got to front over 1f out but headed final 50 yds, unable to fight back as the exertions of his challenge took their toll; still relatively unexposed and should make a bold bid in valuable event over C&D on Good Friday, while beyond that, 3-y-o form suggests he'll be just as effective back on turf.

AUSSIE REIGNS (IRE) a listed winner at Kempton last year, raised his game and produced a career best, though there was an opportunistic element to the performance; mid-field, driven over 2f out, stuck to task, helped by being held up in a strongly-run race; he again went without the visor he's worn previously and is evidently just as effective without it.

DICK DOUGHTYWYLIE was a C&D listed winner on his final start in 2013 and shaped as if as good as ever after 3 months off, better than could show here; led main group, went on 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra late on, ridden too aggressively; he's another one likely to be back in action here on Good Friday with each-way claims at the very least.

FARRAAJ (IRE) won this on his reappearance last year and typically goes well fresh, better than the bare result suggests here, but would only have run respectably had he got a clear run; prominent, driven over 2f out, keeping on when short of room final 100 yds, not recover (worth rating alongside the third); he's fragile, this just his seventh run since 2011, and wouldn't be sure to build on this remembering how he fared after this race last year.

CIRCUMVENT after 6 months off, was back on all-weather after a truncated campaign in 2013 and proved he retains the vast majority of his ability (was third in this race in 2012); mid-field, shuffled back over 4f out, effort 2f out, kept on, caught further back than ideal.

REBELLIOUS GUEST came here in the form of his life after winning 3 of his last 4 but basically wasn't up to this better company, albeit not disgraced; patiently ridden, pushed along home turn, headway inside final 1f, no extra late on; possible that this trip doesn't play to his strengths when the gallop was as strong as it was here, but just as likely that he needs dropping in class (theoretically well treated under a penalty should he turn out quickly in the Lincoln).

GRANDEUR (IRE) had the best form and had won easily enough over C&D in the trial for this, but was fitted with first-time cheekpieces after connections thought he hadn't really knuckled down in front last time, and though the widest draw made things tough for him, he gave the impression he just wasn't in quite the same form here; raced wide early on, his rider having to do plenty to go prominent, pushed along over 2f out, could find only one pace in the straight; likely to put up a better display back here on Good Friday.

CHIL THE KITE was fit from Duabi, but ran below form; slowly into stride, soon behind, made no impression.

ANACONDA (FR). ran below form, easy to put a line through this run; forced pace, headed 2f out, weakened inside final 1f, ridden too aggressively.

VODKATO (FR) faced a stiff task in this grade, not seen to best effect; slowly into stride, in rear, headway out wide over 2f out, no extra, had a hopeless task from position.

PREMIO LOCO (USA) is getting to the veteran stages now, and questions to answer whether he's the force of old, going backwards from reappearance; mid-field, effort over 2f out, left behind inside final 1f.

TINSHU (IRE) is generally at her optimum over this C&D, but was out of her depth in this company; prominent, ridden over 2f out, lost place early in straight.

MIRSAALE was well held after 9 months off; mid-field, lost place over 2f out, looked held when hampered home turn; will be hard to place from now on.