THE ground was fast at Newbury, and it had also been firm at York earlier in the week for the Dante Meeting. Not just overall times back up the latter assertion, but closing sectionals, some of which were remarkably quick.

The quickest of all on the opening two days were those of Roaring Lion in winning the Betfred Dante Stakes by a clear margin. Make no mistake, this was not much of a test of stamina, with an overall timefigure on the winner of just 95 but a last three furlongs of 33.85s.