A strong renewal of this Group 2, with several highly progressive sorts taking on an Arc fourth, a St Leger winner and a Derby second. The pace was steady and the time slow, but the market principals finished in betting order and there is no reason to doubt the form, which looks really strong.

Last year's Arc fourth GETAWAY represented the connections of the impressive 2006 winner Shirocco, another son of Monsun, who went on to win the Coronation Cup and the Prix Foy, before disappointing in the Arc. Like Shirocco, he had a penalty to overcome, but it did not stop him winning just as impressively, storming right away in the final furlong after keeping his main market rival Sixties Icon in his sights from the start.

A big, powerful late developer, the winner looked tremendous in the preliminaries and is destined for much bigger things now. The Coronation Cup is likely to be next on the agenda, then the King George, for which he is already 7-2 favourite with William Hill. The Arc is the long-term target, but Andre Fabre reportedly does not rule out dropping back to 1m2f, even though he is already a good winner at 1m7f, reasoning that horses by Monsun (Manduro is another) can be effective over a wide range of distances.

The impressive 2006 St Leger winner Sixties Icon was very good in this event last year, but he then lost his way badly. An explanation had reportedly been found and seen to, and though he was no match at all for Getaway he was back to near his best here. Well placed, going nicely, he cruised up to Tranquil Tiger running into the Dip, but was then almost immediately swamped by Getaway, who challenged on his outside and was soon on top. There are no immediate plans, but this was much more like it.

Tranquil Tiger, Gower Song and Malt Or Mash were all leaving behind disappointing efforts in the John Porter, where the testing ground was probably to blame in each case. Tranquil Tiger stays further than this and could have done with a stronger gallop. So, too, could Malt Or Mash, who compromised his chance by pulling hard through the early stages, and Gower Song, who likes to come from off the pace and won a Group 3 in Dubai in the spring.

The last-named's stablemate Balkan Knight shaped well over an inadequate trip, going on nicely at the finish after racing at the back of the field from a slow start.

Dragon Dancer was particularly disappointing among the others, droppingright out after making the running. (GD)

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