[Hwjb]

Illustrious Blue is a horse I really like, I just wonder how much further improvement he'll find...he's already progressed 2.5 stone since the beginning of lsat season. Whilst he's done well to win this smart event, he probably found himself in a good spot off bottom weight in a race where a number of those behind were below their best/didn't get run of race. Still wouldn't be laying him for the Lincoln though!

A fine performance from Laverock, who didn't really deserved to be pipped by the German horse - although I was glad that he was - and Laverock must now head to the Sheema with excellent claims.

I'm going to stick with Compton's Eleven in the upcoming weeks. He didn't get the clearest of runs, looking to me as if in form, and is lower in the weights than when winning at the Carnival last year. Similar story with Obe Gold, although it was his stablemate Grantley Adams who looked even more unfortunate and is very much one to keep an eye on.