EPSOM DOWNS 16:30 4jy38

All 13 ran.

Time: 2m 33.38s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 39.5s (111%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 98.2%

Aidan O'Brien had dominated the trials for the Derby as never before and his runners dominated the race as well, making up more than half the field, Anthony Van Dyck providing a record-equalling seventh win in the race for the trainer, his fifth victor since 2012, having supplied the runner-up 8 times this century as well, 5 of the first 6 home representing Ballydoyle, all of them sons of Derby winners, 3 by the pre-eminent Galileo, winner in 2001 and now the sire of 4 Derby winners himself; the race itself was not entirely conclusive, producing an unusually tight finish, only Pour Moi and Sir Percy having won by a narrower margin this century, the finish not unlike Sir Percy's year when barely a neck covered the first 4, with a 4-way photo for second behind the winner here, Dylan Thomas, third home, proving the best runner in Sir Percy's Derby, arguable that any of the first 5 could emerge best in this better renewal; the race was well run, drawing out stamina, even under particularly quick conditions, the ground close to Firm on times, the first 4 all coming from well back in the field, the second and fifth perhaps lesser stayers than the other 3, though they all got the trip well, the main British-trained hope Telecaster too close to the good pace after his rider committed to a similar ride to that which had served him so well at York, when ahead of the third, though he wasn't himself anyway, Bangkok another that failed to fire, the winner's performance a reminder of those that were missing, having been beaten in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst respectively by Quorto and Too Darn Hot.

ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) had come up short at the highest level at 2 yrs, but has come into his own with abundant stamina required, clearly a son of his sire Galileo rather than his sprinting dam, his success looking unlikely until late in the day, a storming run up the rail landing the spoils; broke well, soon steadied, went in snatches, pushed along halfway, ridden home turn, hung left 3f out, not quicken, switched over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final 1f, ridden out; he's set to go for the Irish Derby, a different track and perhaps different ground giving those behind a chance of turning the tables, every indication from the way he finished that he would stay further, though the St Leger may be a target beneath him now, with a stallion career in mind.

MADHMOON (IRE) upped markedly in trip, stepped up significantly on his run in the Guineas, by a miler, but the son and grandson of Derby winners, his grandsire the ubiqiutous Galileo, going like the best horse for much of the straight and just outpointed by a stronger stayer, a fair chance that he'll prove best at 1¼m though he could surely win a good race at this trip; held up, travelled strongly, stumbled briefly home turn, good progress early in straight, led 2f out, ridden after, headed well inside final 1f, kept on; a rematch with the winner in the Irish Derby wouldn't be a foregone conclusion, though supplementing for the Eclipse might be a better option.

JAPAN with abundant stamina on both sides of his pedigree, stepped up considerably on his reappearance run, upped in trip, a lot to like about his performance with further big prizes ahead, a chance that he could reverse placings with the winner were they to meet again at the Curragh, the St Leger surely on the radar; held up, travelled well, ridden entering straight, kept on well final 1f, rider dropped whip, took third close home; will stay beyond 1½m; he's open to further improvement as he has his stamina drawn out.

BROOME (IRE) acquitted himself well over the 2f longer trip, coping perfectly well with the return to much firmer going, his card for why he might beat the winner another time probably the sweeping move he made round the outside into the straight, though he'd probably also benefit from even more emphasis on stamina, the St Leger an option for him in the autumn; held up, travelled well, good progress home turn, ridden over 3f out, edged left, kept on well final 1f, never landed a blow.

SIR DRAGONET (IRE) a really taking sort and a well-backed favourite having been supplemented after his impressive performance in the Chester Vase, came up a fraction short, under very different conditions from Chester, but he ran a fine race and may yet emerge the best of these, lacking the experience of any of those that beat him; mid-division, travelled well, effort straight, edged left 3f out, upsides from 2f out, kept on, not quicken close home; open to further improvement and very much one to keep on side.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces over 2f longer trip, proved at least as good as ever, doing best of those that raced close up, deserving extra credit after a stumble from the stalls; stumbled start, prominent, pushed along straight, not quicken, beaten when hampered over 1f out; he'll make an impact at a lesser level this summer.

HUMANITARIAN (USA) over 2f longer trip and sweating beforehand, very much caught the eye, thrown in at the deep end after winning just a novice on his return, showing himself a smart prospect, despite still needing experience, doing good work late on; slowly into stride, dropped out, not settle fully, still plenty to do 3f out, stayed on after 2f out, nearest at the finish; sure to improve again.

NORWAY (IRE) ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade, particularly as he formed part of the pace-setting team, pressing on once the leader had given way and having nothing left late on; chased leader, ridden straight, led 3f out, headed 2f out, beaten when hampered inside final 1f, one paced; he may yet do better faced with less exacting tasks.

LINE OF DUTY (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces over 2f longer trip, ran better than in the Dante, though had his limitations laid bare, in truth; in touch, took keen hold, ridden straight, one paced.

SOVEREIGN (IRE) over 2f longer trip, proved an irable pacemaker, ensuring stamina came to the fore, running as well as could be expected; slowly into stride, hampered soon after start, led soon after, headed 3f out, left behind soon after, not persevered with once held.

HIROSHIMA was out of his depth, seeming to run to a useful level but not sure to repeat the form at a more realistic level; always behind.

BANGKOK (IRE) disappointed over 2f longer trip, keen beforehand and ruining his chance by his early exuberance, not looking at home on the track either; held up, pulled hard, left behind early in straight; this is best written off, and he may yet get back on the up.

TELECASTER supplemented after winning the Dante, just wasn't in the same form, very much on his toes beforehand, perhaps finding a test of this magnitude coming too soon after York, in view of what has been a busy start to his career, tactics, made difficult by his draw, compounding matters, not settling despite racing up with the strong pace; prominent, raced freely, shaken up straight, folded 3f out and eased off; his earlier promise shouldn't be forgotten and hopefully he will bounce back after a break, well worth another chance to show what he can do at the top level.