He was just lobbing along early and continued to move smoothly as a sprint finish developed over the final three furlongs. His jockey was confident enough to allow him to swing wide to avoid traffic and he was always going to get the better of the sustained duel with a clearly smart runner-up.

By a top-class Australian sprinter out of a dam whose best previous foal is a flat stayer and useful hurdler, Fascinating Rock’s ability to last a mile and a half is up for debate. He’ll last the distance but he would need to be supplemented for the Derby; it would be cheaper and less risky to supplement him for the Prix du Jockey Club. His trainer Dermot Weld so nearly won that race with Famous Name in 2008 and must be toying with the idea of having another go with this smart prospect.