EPSOM DOWNS 16:30

All 16 ran.

Time: 2m 40.09s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 41.75s (109.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 126%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A spring of inconclusive trials and the failure of any outstanding candidate to emerge promised one of the most open runnings of the Derby for many a year, with an upgraded handicapper and a last-time-out maiden winner among the less usual contenders trying their luck, 4 of the 16 supplementary entries; a case could be made for and against so many, and yet, as so often, it was a Derby that sorted the wheat from the chaff, the first 3 coming clear in a race which tested class and stamina to the full, the form shown by the winner not so good as Golden Horn managed in 2015, but well up to the standard of recent winners in general, Harzand scoring fair and square on the day, though that isn't to say the runner-up might not turn the tables under other circumstances, having not quite had the rub of the green, that partly of his own making; the pace was good, overly so initially, Port Douglas used as a pacemaker, ensuring the emphasis on stamina, and there was very little trouble in running for a large field on this track, what there was having no material impact on the outcome; Harzand was a second Epsom classic winner for his sire Sea The Stars, following Taghrooda in the Oaks, and he led home 2 sons of that sire's half-brother Galileo, making a clean sweep for the offspring of previous winners of the Derby, remarkably no fewer than 12 of the 16 runners having that pair's dam, the Arc winner Urban Sea, in their pedigree.

HARZAND (IRE) had improved significantly from run to run in his short career to date and did so again, nearly 2 months on from his first start out of maiden company, relishing the sort of test that the Derby provides, his stamina drawn out significantly more than previously, though he's not just a stayer clearly, the way in which he moved into contention showing his class, his resolution in seeing off the runner-up's challenge late on also impressive, a late scare (he pulled off a shoe and was reportedly stood in ice during the morning) having no ill effects; mid-division, pushed along Tattenham Corner, stayed on to lead 2f out, pressed well inside final 1f, found extra; he has raced so far only on ground softer than good, and connections seem doubtful he'll be so effective on firmer, which may dictate where he goes over the summer, but, all being equal, the Irish Derby is the most obvious port of call, and a rematch with the runner-up would be a race to savour, both still with plenty more to come.

US ARMY RANGER (IRE) has come a long way in a short space in time, barely 2 months from his debut, progressing significantly again, but just coming up short in his attempt to follow in the footsteps of Ruler of The World, also successful in the same 2 races as US Army Ranger prior to winning the Derby, looking to come with a winning run before the winner found more; raced well off the pace, showed signs of still being green, still plenty to do home turn, had to wait for gap over 3f out, good headway 2f out, challenged well inside final 1f, no extra final 100 yds; he is likely to have more to offer after just 3 starts and will presumably take in the Irish Derby next, with a rematch with the winner, assuming suitable ground, perhaps not so far back another time.

IDAHO (IRE) had shaped with plenty of encouragement in 2 trials in Ireland (behind Harzand on the first occasion) and he took a significant step forward on the main day over a 2f longer trip, clearly a very smart middle-distance colt, best of those that raced closest to the pace; handy, travelled well, led after 3f out, headed 2f out, not quicken well inside final 1f; has plenty of options for the rest of the summer, and wouldn't be inconvenienced by a drop in trip, with the Eclipse an alternative to taking on the first 2 again in the Irish Derby.

WINGS OF DESIRE had put up the most convincing performance in the British trials in winning the Dante, supplemented for this as a result, and he seemed likely on pedigree to benefit from going back up in trip, but he wasn't able to progress further, the Dante form perhaps not up to its usual standard; in rear, headway early in straight, not quicken 2f out; the Great Voltiguer back at York and the St Leger may well be the route forward for him.

HUMPHREY BOGART (IRE) had shown his effectiveness on the track when second to So Mi Dar in the spring and he ran to a similar level in the face of his stiffest task to date, just not good enough to land a blow, recouping just over half of the supplementary entry fee laid out to allow him to take his chance; held up, effort over 3f out, stayed on, never landed a blow; he's a smart colt and likely to continue to give a good account at a more realistic level.

RED VERDON (USA) had done really well this year but he was an optimistic supplementary entry and ran about as well as could have been expected upped significantly in grade, not having the clearest of runs but the impact on his chance only marginal; in rear, had to weave way through from 3f out, stayed on, never a threat, might yet be capable of better.

ALGOMETER ran respectably, this still not enough of a test of stamina for him at this level, one of the more plausible St Leger candidates in the field; held up, labouring early in straight, stayed on final 1f, never a threat; may yet do better.

CLOTH OF STARS (IRE) has often been keen in his races and was so once again, giving him no chance of staying the 2f longer trip, not discredited in the circumstances; prominent, not settle fully, led briefly over 3f out, weakened 2f out; remains with potential, back down in trip.

MASSAAT (IRE) was upped markedly in trip and gave himself little chance of lasting the distance, one of the less certain stayers on pedigree in any case; prominent, not settle fully, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out; will be suited by return to shorter. obviously best judged on his Guineas run when he does; remains with potential.

ACROSS THE STARS (IRE) who sweated up beforehand, was well held; mid-division, lost place over 5f out, beaten after.

DEAUVILLE (IRE) was well held over 2f longer trip, bred to be effective at it and possibly needing firmer ground ideally; held up, effort early in straight, bumped soon after 3f out, folded.

ULYSSES (IRE) had been undeniably impressive in winning his maiden but this was a huge step up and he wasn't able to make the transition, likely to be effective at the longer trip in calmer waters, judged on pedigree; mid-field, pushed along over 3f out, switched 2f out, made no impression; he remains with potential, this experience hopefully not having had a lasting negative impact.

BIODYNAMIC (IRE) had done nothing to justify his place in this field and was duly well held; held up, headway approaching halfway, labouring over 3f out.

PORT DOUGLAS (IRE) who sweated up badly beforehand, was seemingly used to ensure a good test of stamina, his job done by early in the straight; led until over 3f out, folded tamely.

SHOGUN (IRE) had some potential to improve for the longer trip, but his form looked well short of the standard required and he made little impact after meeting some trouble early on; in touch, shuffled back halfway, labouring early in straight.

MOONLIGHT MAGIC ran no sort of race, beaten by much more than the 2f longer trip, just leaving the impression something was amiss; chased leaders, folded tamely over 3f out.