THE general feeling before the Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes yesterday was that Roger Charlton’s Fair Eva, so impressive twice before disappointing in the Lowther at York, would bounce back to form and re-establish her 1,000 Guineas credentials. Accordingly, she was sent off at 4/9 favourite but had no answer to 14/1 chance Spain Burg, trained in France by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte.

Form in the French provinces is very hard to assess but Spain Burg had won a listed event at La Teste de Buch last time, looking as if a step-up to seven furlongs would suit. In addition, Frankie Dettori took over in the saddle and enjoyed one of the most pleasantly surprising group victories of his career.

Eventual third Miss Infinity took them along, with Dettori happy to play a waiting game. Pat Smullen brought the favourite through to lead inside the final furlong but Spain Burg was keeping on strongly and quickly overcame minor traffic problems to sweep past and score by just over a length.

Every filly in the race was a winner at one level or another and this may well be very smart form.

Spain Burg had won three of her four starts, all in south-west France. She is now a 16/1 chance for the 1,000 Guineas with Paddy Power and Dettori was suitably impressed. “She did it quite nicely in the end and will definitely get a mile,” the Italian said. “She felt like a Guineas filly and why not go for it because these were the best around at the moment.”

COUGAR TOO GOOD

Cougar Mountain, a durable five-year-old, was a little disappointing when only sixth of eight to Breton Rock at Doncaster last time but came right back to form in the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes over a mile, scoring easily from Gifted Master and 5/2 favourite Nathra.

Very few Ballydoyle winners start at 15/2 when Ryan Moore is on board in a six-runner race and his followers were no doubt delighted. Gifted Master made the running but Cougar Mountain improved quickly three furlongs out and was in front with a furlong to go, extending the advantage to just over three lengths at the line. Nathra kept on steadily but never troubled the front two.

Cougar Mountain has been a willing servant with the occasional smart piece of form to his name. The Doncaster run was moderate but he was by no means disgraced when eighth to the globe-trotting Tepin in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and that gave him a leading chance in this much lesser company.

“The key with Cougar Mountain is that he prefers this good to firm ground,” said Coolmore UK representative Kevin Buckley.

“If it stays that way we could have a look at the QEII at Ascot or possibly the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.”

PROFITABLE JOURNEY

John Gosden may have suffered a slight setback with Nathra, but completed one of the easiest doubles of his career.

The Listed Muhaarar Rosemary Stakes over a mile looked competitive but 9/1 chance Laugh Aloud made all the running for Rab Havlin and never saw a rival before passing the post nearly three lengths ahead of Pirouette.

Better was to follow as 11/8 favourite Journey repeated last year’s victory in the Listed Princess Royal EBF Nayef Stakes, establishing an early advantage for Dettori and cruising home nicely clear of stable-companion Lady Of Camelot.

There is a feeling within racing that James Doyle was most unfortunate to lose his position as main jockey for Saeed Bin Suroor, but he enjoyed much better fortune on Peter Chapple-Hyam’s newcomer Time Zone in the first division of the Derrinstown Maiden over seven furlongs, the Kheleyf colt striding home a length and half to the good over fellow newcomers Doctor Bartolo and Red Label.

Doyle came close to a long-priced double when Ed Dunlop’s 20/1 chance Mudallel made a promising debut in the second division.

However, racecourse experience counted for plenty as Ryan Moore made all on 11/8 favourite Via Serendipity, who held the newcomer by three-parts of a length.

There is much talk about allowances received by three-year-olds and the Listed Mukhadram Godolphin Stakes looks relevant to the debate, with the year-younger Dal Harraild proving too strong for four-year-old Barsanti over a mile and a half.

Dal Harraild was receiving 8lb and made it count, coming home by just over two lengths. The others in a field of six were fairly well beaten and this looks very smart form. The winner, a solid 9/4 favourite ahead of his market rival, was continuing William Haggas’ excellent run of form and looks well worth a try at group level.