NONE of the other recognised 2000 Guineas trials this spring has produced anything to rival Masar’s power-packed sectionals, though Gustav Klimt’s base timefigure at Leopardstown of 116 becomes 118 after sectional upgrading.

worry

In particular, the Greenham Stakes at Newbury last Saturday revealed nothing that should unduly worry connections of the principals for Newmarket. The race went to James Garfield from the much-touted Expert Eye, in a time that was only just quicker than the Dubai Duty Free (Fred Darling) Stakes shortly before, and worth a timefigure of just 104.

record

Both colts had run 118 timefigures at two years – when breaking the course record in the Mill Reef Stakes on this course for James Garfield and when winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in Expert Eye’s case – but this well-bunched finish did not approach that level.

sectional

A more detailed breakdown of the race from a sectional point of view confirms it was steadily-run, has James Garfield on a sectional rating of 112, Expert Eye on 111 and the once-raced Raid, who finished as well as any in fourth, snapping at their heels on 110.

None of the three is among the market leaders for Newmarket, understandably enough.

Surprise

That Fred Darling Stakes produced a surprise winner in Dan’s Dream, who ran a useful 102 time in coming from off the pace to beat Tajaanus, with sectionals showing this was a well-run race with the result a fair reflection on the day.

Soliloquy recorded a similar figure – 98 on overall time, 102 on sectionals – in winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket three days earlier, and that is again some way off usual classic-winning standard.

It is looking more likely than not that the 1000 Guineas winner has not been seen so far this season, unless you count racecourse gallops for the likes of Wild Illusion (approximately 35.9s last three furlongs at Newmarket) and Veracious (35.4s for same).

derby winner

Nor does it seem at all likely that the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket threw up a future Derby winner (which happened in 2015 with Golden Horn).

Mildenberger deserves credit for running down the loose-on-the-lead Fortune’s Pearl to win by half a length, but ran just a 102 timefigure in the process.

Third-placed Kew Gardens shaped as if ring rusty for his return.