NEWMARKET (ROWLEY) 15:35 b266q

All 15 ran.

Time: 1m 34.72s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.55s (97.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 102.6%

That racing in Britain had resumed just 5 days prior to this first classic of the season obviously meant that none of these 3-y-os had had a prep run, while not only was the race run on the first Saturday in June, the traditional slot of the Derby, but it was also staged behind closed doors; all that aside, it was a typical 2000 Guineas in many ways and a strong one at that, 7 of the 15 pattern winners at 2 yrs, including the outstanding juvenile Pinatubo, and although he was clearly below his very best the race still deserves viewing positively, the winner the only other previously successful at Group 1 level and the runner-up having long since looked the type to take his form up further at 3 yrs; the field raced as one group towards the stand rail with no bias seemingly at play and little in the way of trouble in-running, either, a true gallop leading to the fastest ever time for the Guineas, although it's worth pointing out that conditions were conducive to fast times for a large part of the 4-day meeting.

KAMEKO (USA) has improved with every start and found the latest jolt of progression enough to see him add a classic to his Group 1 success at 2 yrs, and although Pinatubo failed to repeat the pick of his juvenile form, it's hard to argue that Kameko wasn't a very worthy winner on the day, particularly as he suffered the worst of the interference in what was otherwise a largely clean race, rated as an above-average Guineas winner; having travelled better than most racing in touch towards the stand rail, he was forced to angle to the outer for a run from over 2f out, was briefly held in over 1f out but picked up well once in the clear and, despite edging to his right, stayed on to lead inside the final 100 yds; he's very likely to stay 1¼m and, while his stamina for the Derby trip isn't assured, he'll certainly stand out on form if turning up at Epsom (placed pair very unlikely runners).

WICHITA (IRE) all over a 3-y-o in appearance, duly took a big step forward after 8 months off, reversing Dewhurst form with both Pinatubo and his stablemate Arizona, the step up in trip and return to less testing ground in his favour, and although it's very hard to argue that the winner wasn't a worthy winner on the day, Wichita has the scope to improve his rating further as he continues to grow into his sizeable frame; never far away, travelled well, led when edged left over 2f out, saw off Pinatubo entering the final 1f and although he was headed inside the final 100 yds, he stayed on right to the line; with the winner set to step up in trip, Wichita will have plenty of opportunities to bag a Group 1 over 1m this summer, another clash with Pinatubo in the St James's Palace Stakes perhaps up next.

PINATUBO (IRE) was just the third colt this century to be sent off odds on for the Guineas (after Frankel and Air Force Blue), but he probably failed to quite match the level of his Dewhurst win let alone his National Stakes romp, very hard to point to the longer trip in isolation given that he failed to travel with quite the same verve as a juvenile, the others having caught up and, even in a couple of cases, progressed past him physically a more likely explanation, for all this was still a very smart performance; he tracked Wichita in mid-field, had got closer by halfway but needed shaking up over 3f out and, despite coming back on the bridle briefly as he moved into front rank, was never able to quite get past Wichita and couldn't quicken inside the final 1f; he reportedly heads to the St James's Palace which will provide further evidence as to what he's capable of this year.

MILITARY MARCH ran right up to the form of his win in the Autumn Stakes 8 months earlier, clearly a talented colt and one who ought to do even better when he steps up in trip (pedigree chock full of middle-distance performers); bit keen to post, mid-division on outer, headway to challenge over 2f out, edged left soon after, not quicken final 1f; remains capable of better.

JUAN ELCANO ran a blinder up in trip after 9 months off, perhaps helped by sticking to the stand rail but well worth focusing on the positives, a good looker who is very much a 3-y-o on pedigree; pressed leader, went with enthusiasm, led around 3f out, headed over 2f out, held when edged right inside final 1f, kept on; he saw the trip out fine but has the speed to revert to 7f.

KINROSS had been sent off favourite to beat Kameko in the Futurity Trophy on the back of such an impressive debut success but seemed slightly caught out by inexperience, and it was a similar story again, not getting the rub of the green either, and he remains with the potential to make much more of a splash in races at this level; in touch, shuffled back slightly before halfway, headway when no room under 2f out, kept on; open to further improvement.

STARCAT one of a pair of once-raced winners, acquitted himself well after 6 months off, in the cut and thrust of the race for a long way until impeded a couple of times, and this experience is sure to aid his development (remains open to improvement); chased leaders on outer, effort when intimidated 2f out, short of room soon after, no chance after, not unduly punished.

NEW WORLD TAPESTRY (USA) was justifiably a huge price and cut no ice; soon steadied, pushed along halfway, outpaced 3f out, bumped 1f out, never involved.

KENZAI WARRIOR (USA) can have a line put through this run, things going wrong at the start and never in a postition to get involved; very awkward leaving stalls and almost unshipped rider, in rear, hung right over 1f out, made little impression; the Group 3 he'd won on his second of 2 starts last year was a weak one but he remains capable of better this year.

ROYAL DORNOCH (IRE) had edged out Kameko in the Royal Lodge over C&D on his final start at 2 yrs but never looked like making an impression from well off the pace, struggling 3f out; he looked better ridden more prominently last year.

ARIZONA (IRE) the choice of Moore (though ending up a bigger price than Wichita), proved to be a disappointment after 7 months off; tracked pace, pushed along over 3f out, not quicken 2f out and slightly short of room, left behind, not persevered with once held; he'd split Pinatubo and Wichita in the Dewhurst and is better judged on that for now.

CEPHEUS who hadn't been seen after winning a newcomers race on debut 10 months earlier, found this all too much; mid-field, lost place after 3f, ridden when hung right under 3f out, well held.

PERSUASION (IRE) doesn't look a miler on this evidence, acknowledging he was ridden differently to previously, forcing a sound pace after 8 months off; led until around 3f out, weakened 2f out.

AL SUHAIL ran badly after 8 months off, a long way below his juvenile form; held up, took keen hold, brief headway under 3f out, forced to switch under 2f out, not sustain effort; he doesn't look the easiest.

MUMS TIPPLE (IRE) found the experiment with 1m failing miserably after 8 months off, ridden completely differently to at 2 yrs; broke well from lowest draw but immediately steadied and taken right back to the rear (keen early), effort 3f out but made no impression and was well held when becoming unbalanced into the Dip; it's hard to think he won't prove best ridden much more positively over shorter trips.