EPSOM DOWNS 14:45

All 6 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +45 yds

Time: 2m 8.75s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 38.05s (113.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 99.3%

Four of the 6 are in the Derby, the favourite surprisingly not among them, and not quite returning at the same level as his Autumn Stakes second was enough to see him turned over in what could prove quite an informative contest, the winner certainly impressing with the way he got past and value for a rather comfortable success, for all the margins suggest the form is just useful.

BELLUM JUSTUM (IRE) had taken 4 runs to get off the mark in maidens, but is certainly going the right way now and took an even bigger step forward after 7 months off, the 2f longer trip very much in his favour and looking fairly well balanced, particularly considering he's a sizeable colt, all of which suggests there ought to be better yet to come, with sound prospects of staying 1½m, too; close up, went on under 2f out, ridden out and always holding on.

DEFIANCE (IRE) ran well after 7 months off, having no problems with the 2f longer trip; patiently ridden, headway under 2f out, kept on well, took second late on.

CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (IRE) second in both the Beresford and Autumn Stakes last year, was turned over at odds on but this was still a satisfactory return from 6 months off, entitled to strip a little fitter for the outing and doing enough to think he should stay this trip fine; led, shaken up around 3f out, headed under 2f out, rallied until inside final 1f.

ARABIC LEGEND (IRE) ran well on first outing since leaving Andrew Balding after 6 months off, staying the 2f longer trip for all he didn't make quite as much impact as it looked like he might early in the straight; tracked pace, not clear run under 2f out, switched, one paced; he lacks the physical scope of some of these, and isn't the very best of movers, either.

FEIGNING MADNESS after 6 months off, couldn't advance his form any further but, even over a 2f longer trip, this was a very different test to what he'd faced at 2, neither the firmer ground nor the trickier track looking in his favour at all; mid-field, shaken up briefly halfway, pushed along again over 3f out, outpaced and lost place soon after; he merely plugged on to the line but appeared to gallop out really well after it, backing up the impression from both his 2-y-o runs and his pedigree that he'll be suited by 1½m, and he remains capable of better with that in mind.

BUR DUBAI after 4 months off, ran as well as could be expected, this a clear step forward in form terms from a trio of all-weather maidens; held up, ridden when hung left under 2f out, not quicken; may well stay a bit further, too.