With no smart French-trained 2yo males around, this took less winning than it might have, but it would be a mistake to sell Puerto Rico short as he won decisively and in a smart relative time, the race going largely to form. He made all, going a sensible rather than strong pace initially, before forging away with a final 400m of 23.15s (104.4% finishing speed, taking the overall distance as 1350m, for it is certainly not the full 1400m that is advertised) on ground that was predominantly “good to soft” in British terms.

PUERTO RICO(116 here, 113 previously) has taken a while to get his act together but had shown himself to be smart at Doncaster and ran only a bit better again in taking this in good style. He made all, quickened 450m out and edged right briefly, running on strongly and under hands and heels again by the line. This sort of trip suits him better than shorter and he will stay at least 8f, his best 2 bits of form now having both come on ground a bit softer than good.

NIGHTTIME (109 here and previously) is probably about as good a French 2yo male as there is around, but that is not really saying a lot and was good enough only to secure 2^nd here. He tracked the pace going well, was caught a bit flat-footed 450m out then ran on pretty well (though still not quite as fast as the winner in the final two sections).

RAYIF (105 here, 108 previously) was a bit below his G3 winning form from Deauville the time before but can be upgraded slightly, further back than ideal and running on without getting in a blow.

CAMPACITE (103 here, 106 previously) is exposed as useful rather than better and ran respectably, spoiling his chance somewhat by hanging right 400m out.

IMPERIAL ME CEN (103 here, 97 previously) ran well, especially as he was briefly short of room, keeping on from towards the rear.

A BIT OF SPIRIT (98 here, 106 previously) was a bit disappointing, for all that his form was not the strongest, close up and free to begin with before finding little.

CIELO DI ROMA (98 here, ? previously)

TIME TO TURN (90+ here, 106 previously) is best forgiven this, carried back after going for a run up the rail (had been quite headstrong initially).

VARDIF (78 here, 105 previously)

A race affected by the draw, as it often is on the straight course here when the ground is on the soft side. Single-figured stalls filled the first 7 places, and those drawn 10 or higher are worth marking up by a few lengths and in some cases being forgiven their under-performance entirely. It was well-run, as reflected in the winner’s 22.74s for the final 400m (99.2% finishing speed).

ASFOORA (114 here and previously) was back to form, again beating a rag-tag bunch by usual elite sprinting standards, but thoroughly admirable in how she goes about things (and how her Corinthian connections do, also). She tracked the pace and travelled better than most, angled out then running on well to lead with about 50m to go.

JAWWAL (117 here, ? previously) was difficult to assess following wins in Czechia and at Chantilly (minor race but some decent opponents) and ran his lights out here, quickly away and soon leading/disputing travelling well, pulling out more late on but passed close home by the winner. He has won at 6f but looks all speed.

SHE’S QUALITY (102 here, 106 previously) ran respectably again, quite close up but one paced when it mattered.

PONNTOS (100 here, 103 previously) is not quite as good as he was but made use of his draw to dispute for much of the way, no extra late on.

MGHEERA (97 here, 108 previously) performed respectably but once more was slowly away and carried her head high when the chips were down.

MONTEILLE (95 here, 112 previously) may not be quite as good as her win from stall 1 at this course and distance the time before makes her look, outpaced by halfway and making a few late gains.

AIN’T NOBODY (97+ here, 112 previously) may have his quirks but shaped better than the result, outpaced for a long way then finishing well and 3^rd-fastest overall (behind the winner and Star of Lady M) in the final 200m.

AFJAN (86+ here, 105 previously) was the sole 2yo on show and better than the result, managing to get prominent from a widish draw until weakening late.

STAR OF LADY M (86+ here, 112? previously) was going nowhere in rear for a long way before closing well but too late.

FROST AT DAWN (85 here, 109 previously)

SKY MAJESTY (87+ here, 108 previously) is best forgiven this, stumbling at the start, then outpaced from her wide draw but making late gains.

JM JUNGLE (88+ here, 112 previously)

FIRST INSTINCT (84+ here, 110 previously)

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (83+ here, 107 previously)

NIGHT RAIDER (78 here, 109 previously)

RUMSTAR (78 here, 113 previously)

AGAINST THE WIND (0 here, 102 previously)