SANDOWN PARK 15:45

All 5 ran.

Time: 2m 5.77s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24.31s (103.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 100.7%

A small field for one of the top British middle-distance races, traditionally the first test of the generations, and in that role it more than served its purpose, with the Derby winner opposed by a dual Group 1 winning 4-y-o, the race much more satisfactory than might have been the case, with both Golden Horn and The Grey Gatsby well ridden, the result a fair reflection of their merits, Golden Horn running at least as well as he did in winning the Derby; as for the rest, the cupboard was rather bare, the late absence of the Jockey Club winner New Bay regrettable, just a token runner from Ballydoyle and with the rebuilding Godolphin not yet having the quality in-house to compete at this level, all in all the quality of the principals papering over the cracks.

GOLDEN HORN maintained his perfect record with a second performance right out of the top drawer, this a very different test from a well-run Derby, connections deciding the best way to avoid a muddling race was for him to make the running, tactics very different from those employed previously, that rather than the trip perhaps the reason he wasn't able to show the burst of acceleration that had characterised his wins in the Dante and at Epsom, this requiring a more gutsy performance, to see off a high-class rival; led, challenged early in straight, ridden after 2f out, stayed on strongly final 1f; well on top at the line and will continue to take all the beating in the top middle-distance races, with the King George likely to be next up, the return to further a plus if anything.

THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) really is an admirable racehorse and he acquitted himself in typical fashion, giving his all, that just not good enough against a rival of Golden Horn's quality on weight-for-age terms; close up, upsides early in straight, not quicken over 1f out; he's sure to continue to give a good account, though Time Test in the International and Gleneagles in the Irish Champion are other 3-y-os who could conceivably stand in his way in the very best races.

WESTERN HYMN ran creditably, not good enough to win a bona fide Group 1 and no threat to the first 2 at any stage; waited with, effort after 3f out, edged right, not quicken, took third close home.

COUGAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) in change of headgear, and upped still further in trip, couldn't reproduce his Queen Anne form, the possibility that that form flatters him a little more open than it was; waited with, effort after 3f out, not quicken, faded inside final 1f.

TULLIUS (IRE) was well rewarded for making up the numbers, running as well as could be expected; held up, pushed along early in straight, made little impression.