CHALDEAN (118) overcame a slow start to dictate and consequently win the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket to confirm himself a candidate for the 2000 Guineas next year, for which he is now second favourite behind Little Big Bear.

As has become his customary run style, the son of Frankel was comfortable on the lead without expending too much energy early, enabling him to find an extra gear when asked by Frankie Dettori.

Accelerating as he descended into the Dip, the winner was quickest of those who triumphed on the day, covering the ground from the three-furlong marker in 34.26secs to deny Royal Scotsman (118) who finished strongly.

Additional credit must be given to the runner up who travelled smoothly before laying down a determined challenge which saw him stop the clock for his sectional at 33.90secs. This was a welcome return to form for the son of Gleneagles who disappointed behind Noble Style (116) at York.

Nostrum (116) faded on the final climb to the line when compared to the colts in front of him although still finished quickly enough to post a quicker closing sectional than the other winners on the card.

The son of Kingman covered the ground in 34.57secs in pulling five lengths clear of Aesop’s Fables who ran below the rating he achieved when third behind Al Riffa (118) in the National Stakes.

Doncaster will complete the British two-year-old Group 1 races in a couple of weeks although I would be surprised if it alters the Qipco 2000 Guineas market and Little Big Bear (122+) is justifiably favourite courtesy of his Phoenix Stakes demolition job which also sees him head my juvenile ratings.

Bounced back

Silver Knott (112) bounced back from his disappointing performance behind Chaldean in the Champagne Stakes to claim victory in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes.

The son of Lope De Vega impressed with his finishing effort, clocking 34.71secs from the three-furlong marker to deny the less experienced Epictetus (112) in a driving finish.

The time figure was the equivalent of previous course winner Azure Blue (105+) when adjusted for distance and there was also nothing to separate the pair through the concluding sectional, confirming the Godolphin colt is not short of speed.

Charlie Appleby mentioned the possibility of a trip to the Breeders’ Cup for the winner, while Epictetus holds an entry in the Vertem Futurity Trophy. I expect both colts will figure in a Guineas of some description before heading for middle-distance contests as next season progresses.

Godolphin also claimed the Group 3 Zetland Stakes with Flying Honours (110), who appreciated the stronger gallop as opposed to the sprint finish of the Royal Lodge.

The son of Sea The Stars covered the final three furlongs in 36.63secs suggesting he is more likely to head for staying contests.

The same comment also applies to Blanchland (108) who finished his race off quicker without ever seriously threatening the winner; I also made a note of Batemans Bay (103) who travelled well out wide before fading.

Alfaila deals with strong early pace impressively

RUN For Oscar (102) turned the Cesarewitch into a procession, emerging from the pack with his challenge soon after the three-furlong pole. The seven-year-old completed his race in 36.84secs, powering three and a quarter lengths clear of Vino Victrix (98).

The overall time was short of my expectations on the clock for a heritage handicap so I will be applying a watching brief to see how the form develops.

Alflaila (121) defied missing the break to extend his winning sequence to three and claim the Group 3 Darley Stakes which brought the curtain down on the card.

The time figure was the fastest on the day although the closing sectional illustrates that was as a result of a strong early pace rather than a speedy finish. The close attendance of Ottoman Fleet (119) kept the winner honest as together they pulled clear of their field despite the winner only recording a closing sectional of 36.16secs.

Desert Order

For the record, Desert Order (98+) stopped the clock for his sectional at 35.68secs, although the favourite was value for more than his neck winning margin as William Buick was forced to change course twice to secure a clear passage.