THE figures achieved by Hurricane Lane in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes were the opposite to that of Snowfall the previous day as there was more substance to the overall time figure, however the closing sectionals were not so impressive.

The official race time was marginally slower than that achieved by Queen Power (110) who won the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Middleton Stakes for fillies over the same course and distance earlier in the day.

However, that was due to the middle section of the Dante being slower and not the closing stages as Hurricane Lane, Megallan (110) and High Definition (108) all finished off quicker.

As the field passed the four-furlong pole, all the jockeys in the chasing pack became more animated, most likely as a result of Hollie Doyle pressing for home under clear leader Roman Empire.

So, while it may have appeared that it took Hurricane Lane some time to gather full stride, it was more of a relevant factor that the pace of the race had increased.

A view that is borne out by the sectional times as the son of Frankel moved from a 12.4 second furlong to three consecutive sub-12 second furlongs.

Megallan and High Definition both upped their game to a similar degree and, as a result, all three of the main protagonists reeled in the long-time leader passing the furlong marker.

The closing three-furlong sectionals and the distance that went back to the fifth-placed Gear Up (102) portray the superiority that the first three held over their rivals and, while they may be vulnerable at a higher level, they will all remain competitive at Group 2 and 3 level at the very least.

Of the trio, Hurricane Lane and High Definition have the most potential as both gave the impression that a trip beyond even a mile-and-a-half would be within their compass and the latter is entitled to improve markedly given his rushed preparation.

Fastest

The fastest furlong-per-furlong time of the day was posted by Winter Power (114) who simply ran away with the Listed Westow Stakes.

Tim Easterby has nominated the King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot as his filly’s next target where the daughter of Bungle Inthejungle will have to step up again on this performance to be competitive.

Elsewhere on the card, the performance of Kynren (102) in the Hambleton Handicap is worthy of a mention as the David Barron-trained gelding ended a losing run that stretched back to October 2019.

It was a victory that looked most unlikely as the field turned for home as the winner had just one rival behind having been dropped in from his wide draw.

Further trouble awaited Connor Beasley and his mount passing the two-furlong marker as they were stopped in their run, so the fact the closing sectional of 35.70 was only bettered by the winners over sprint distances is a sign the seven-year-old is in rude health as he likely heads to Ascot for another tilt at the Royal Hunt Cup.

Brunch (101) ran another fine race in a big-field handicap and will surely gain his just rewards before too long. Following his second in the Lincoln, the son of Harbour Watch was again just denied by a late closer.

He too may contest the Royal Hunt Cup while, along with Hartswood (98), he should be noted for similar races at York where both have yet to finish out of the places.

Impressive

The Ed Walker and David Ward combination followed up the victory of Starman with another impressive performer in the shape of Primo Bacio (110) who ran out an emphatic winner of the Listed Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes.

Andrea Atzeni rode the filly with the utmost confidence at the back of the field having been slightly squeezed for room leaving the stalls. The Italian asked his mount to take a position among horses approaching the two-furlong marker which was a move that led to the daughter of Awtaad cutting down her field in a matter of strides.

The closing sectional of 34.07 seconds illustrates the effect to which Atzeni and his mount had quickened as well as highlighting that they were passing a field which wasn’t stopping.

The Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot has been nominated as the next target by her trainer, Ed Walker, who is putting together a select team for the June extravaganza with King’s Stand-bound Came From The Dark a likely addition to this filly and Starman.