CHALDEAN (107) proved to be the most effective in the deteriorating underfoot conditions at Newmarket on Saturday as the first colts’ classic of the season returned a time figure short of expectation.

The formative stages of the race contributed to the slow time as Hi Royal (105) was allowed an uncontested lead in covering the first furlong in a pedestrian 15.01secs.

In comparison, Bonny Angel in the following race when conditions were arguably worse, covered the same ground in 14.60secs.

Frankie Dettori positioned the winner on the heels of the leader and was always travelling smoothly despite racing without cover.

The same cannot be said for either Royal Scotsman or Little Big Bear, who gave their jockeys a torrid time through the opening furlongs.

The closing sectionals also illustrate there was no sharp injection of speed at any stage, so the winner prevailed by virtue of maintaining the gallop and, more importantly, by taking the shortest route to the winning line, while the runner-up drifted markedly on more than one occasion.

The data shows the first two home covered the final three furlongs in 38.44secs and 38.89secs respectively with the biggest variance between them being through the final 220 yards as the winner slowed to 13.72secs, compared to the 14.08secs it took the wayward Hi Royal to cover the ground.

Clear

Royal Scotsman (105+) finished clear of those who raced towards the stands’ side, and almost matched the winner from the three-furlong marker, stopping the clock in 38.53secs.

A smoother passage into a challenging position would have seen the Paul and Oliver Cole-trained colt finish much closer with the head second to the winner in last season’s Dewhurst Stakes probably more representative of his ability.

Winning handler Andrew Balding nominated the St James’s Palace Stakes as the next assignment for the son of Frankel.

Should Royal Scotsman take up the same engagement then racing around a bend and tackling potentially quicker ground will be in his favour in my opinion.

It may also pay to give the vanquished high-profile runners another chance to prove themselves under different conditions, whether it be ground or trip which caused their below-par efforts.

VADREAM (116) benefitted from the rain arriving in advance of the Palace House Stakes as she posted the swiftest finish of the day under her optimum conditions which can now be described as soft ground on a straight track over either five or six furlongs.

Charlie Fellowes’ mare charged home under the stands’ side rail to complete her closing sectional in 34.81secs, which included a closing furlong of 12.46secs; easily the best on the day.

The Newmarket trainer was undecided on the next target, although long term the Prix de l’Abbaye would likely present ideal conditions and potentially a perfect end to her five-year-old campaign.

In the shorter term, the performance of Manaccan (113+) can be upgraded as Frankie Dettori was forced to cross the track from stall one to engage with the two rivals who preceded him home.

John Ryan’s four-year-old covered the closing stages in 35.47secs despite the maneuvering by his rider, while he was also encountering a racing surface which would not be ideal. Twice a winner at Ascot in the past, the son of Exceed And Excel holds an intriguing entry in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Earlier on the Saturday card at Newmarket, Azure Blue (113) and Probe (115) impressed on the clock, with the lower rated handicap winner proving best on the closing splits to record marginally the faster time figure.

Azure Blue won the listed contest for fillies and mares without being fully extended and has now won four of her five starts at Flat HQ - meeting with her only defeat when undone by the draw behind Lethal Levi at the July meeting last summer.

Jockey Paul Mulrennan was only required to steer the four-year-old filly through the closing stages as she covered the final three furlongs in 36.50secs. Michael Dods will be looking towards a Group 3 contest next and a return to the Rowley Mile will enhance her chances of making a successful transition to pattern company.

Compliment

Probe, along with Chairmanoftheboard (112) and Leap Abroad (109), contested a similar handicap at the Craven meeting, paying a compliment to the winner Orazio as they contested the finish to this Heritage Handicap.

Jockey Kieran O’Neill delivered the Jennie Candlish-trained gelding to win going away, covering the ground from the three-furlong marker in 36.06secs. To further strengthen the closing effort, the five-year-old posted an impressive 12.86secs for his final furlong whereas, in comparison, the winning filly of the listed contest closed off in 13.21secs.

The Wokingham at Ascot and a potential rematch with Orazio would look an ideal medium range target for Probe, although it would be no surprise to see the Staffordshire trainer roll the dice again between now and the Royal meeting.