NEWMARKET (JULY) 15:15

All 7 ran.

Time: 2m 29.93s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35s (107.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 98.5%

A fascinating renewal of this Group 2, featuring last year's first and second, Big Orange and Second Step, as well as dual Group-1 winner The Grey Gatsby and Exosphere, who'd won impressively at this level on the Rowley Mile earlier in the season; it wasn't a conventional race as it turned out, though, with the field racing in single file until well after the halfway stage, Big Orange heading the pack throughout under a perfectly-judged ride from James McDonald, far from overdoing things in front and then winding it up far enough out to get the strong-staying winner in full flow, the poorly ridden runner-up meanwhile asked to do far too much once the race began in earnest and doing very well under the circumstances.

BIG ORANGE proved better than ever to land this race for the second successive year, much more emphatically this time but in much the same manner, having the run of the race and galloping on resolutely, the nature of this track absolutely ideal for him; made all, quickened around 4f out, driven 2f out, stayed on strongly, looked willing but no doubt had the benefit of an enterprising ride, as sectional-time analysis underlines; he followed up in the Goodwood Cup in 2015 and ought to make a bold bid to do the same again.

THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) shaped well, tactics the key difference between himself and Big Orange, poorly ridden in comparison to the winner on whom Spencer had made all in this last year; steadied at the start, raced long way off the pace, travelled smoothly, good headway from 3f out, chased leader inside final 1f, one paced late on as he paid for such a big move into contention (looked to make up 6 lengths on Exosphere within a furlong) having been left with too much to do; there was enough in this effort to think that he retains all of his ability, and safe to say that he's effective over this trip as well.

EXOSPHERIC didn't quite repeat his Jockey Club Stakes performance, when Big Orange was way back, but he wasted no time getting back on track after Ascot flop, this course and the firmer ground entirely more suitable; tracked pace, raced freely, chased leader over 1f out, kept on; he sweated up beforehand but it didn't seem to have a negative effect on performance.

BATTERSEA after 4 months off, faced a stiff task in this grade and ran as well as could be expected; dropped out, headway under pressure over 2f out, kept on, admittedly no threat and passing beaten horses.

SECOND STEP (IRE) pushed Big Orange very close in this race 12 months ago but hasn't produced his best yet this season, no excuses this time either, better placed than most at a track that he's proven on; chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final 1f.

ELITE ARMY was below form, possibly finding the race coming too soon after a hard race at Royal Ascot, this the quickest turnaround he's had in his career to date, and he hasn't been the easiest to keep sound of course; mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened entering final 1f.

MUNTAZAH was far too free over this 2f longer trip; held up, pulled too hard, effort over 2f out, found little, never dangerous.