NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 16:30

All 6 ran.

Time: 1m 44.01s Closing Sectional: (3f): 38.1s (102.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 100.6%

An unsatisfactory renewal of this Group 3, plenty struggling in the conditions - race run in driving rain - including the odds-on favourite, that leaving the way clear for Stormy Antarctic to run out a ready winner, barely needing to better his juvenile form in the process; the pace was just fair.

STORMY ANTARCTIC after 6 months off, made a winning reappearance with plenty in hand, but there's a suspicion he just cashed in on the circumstances, at least to a degree, already proven on soft ground and barely needing to improve upon his smart 2-y-o form to see off some underperforming rivals; held up, raced freely, headway on bridle under 2f out, led 1f out, soon clear; this form leaves him with no better than place claims in the 2000 Guineas, which will probably be run on contrasting ground, so current odds of around 20/1 look about right.

FOUNDATION (IRE) is better judged on his promising juvenile form (unlucky not to beat Stormy Antarctic's Saint-Cloud conquerer Johann Vermeer in Racing Post Trophy final start), as he seemed inconvenienced by the conditions making his reappearance after 6 months off, going about things in a laboured fashion; mid-field, shaken up over 2f out, edged right over 1f out and made heavy weather of pegging back the pacesetting outsider, no match for winner final 1f, not unduly punished; he's reportedly set to sidestep the 2000 Guineas, with the Dante his next target, but whilst the trip there shouldn't pose any problems, it bears repeating that he's no banker to stay any further judged on pedigree.

SHOGUN (IRE) wasn't disgraced from a ratings perspective, whilst also strengthening the view he'll need at least 1¼m to show his best this year; mid-field, driven under 3f out, outpaced soon after, plugged on again final 1f; the early fitting of blinkers combined with his awkward head carriage hints at temperament issues, though.

TONY CURTIS was the sole runner in the line up with a recent outing under his belt and ran as well as could be expected, this sort of contest probably a bit beyond his pay grade, whilst going freely in the first half of the race told against him late on; soon led, quickened 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places final 100 yds; bred to stay 1¼m+, but will need to learn to settle better if he's to fulfil his potential.

STEEL OF MADRID (IRE) was arguably flying too high in this grade, but didn't give his running in any case, undone by a combination of 7-month absence and testing conditions; prominent, shaken up over 2f out, folded tamely soon after; remains with potential, including when upped in trip (has plenty of stamina on dam's side of pedigree).

VERY TALENTED (IRE) after 7 months off, is better judged on his impressive maiden win, when routing a host of now-useful rivals and looking every inch a pattern-class performer in the making, as he floundered on this more testing ground; dwelt, held up, effort 2f out, soon beaten and eased off.