Dolling out added 12yards to race distances on the Round course.

A tactical affair with team O'Brien conducting proceedings and front-running Honoured Guest leading the field, who initially packed to race down the middle, to the stands' rail.

As such Haradasun, who had the pace to win over 51/2f and 6f in his native Australia and sat handy behind his stablemate, was advantaged while neither of the fillies Darjina nor Finsceal Beo were along with the winner's stablemate Mount Nelson. The sixth running as a Group 1 and once again the Lockinge result was reworked in what was an unsatisfactory race in that there was plenty of interference, the result of a steady pace leading to a sharp 3f dash to the line with the first eight covered by three lengths. There was a strong feeling that this was not a strong renewal, despite the requisite array of Group 1 winners, with Godolphin (three of last five winners of this) unable to field either last year's winner Ramonti or Lockinge winner Creachadoir, who held bragging rights over many of these.

HARADASUN failed to win in seven after his sole Grade 1 in Australia although probably not staying the 10f he tried towards the end. More worryingly, he was awarded cheekpieces twice at the end of a sequence of seven placings. He looked sure to benefit from his British debut in the Lockinge, where another slow pace produced a similar scenario to this with a dash home in which he was off the pace and failed to get the clearest run through. He is quite a keen-going sort and he took time to hit top stride in the sprint as he hugged the stands' rail but with his stablemate Honoured Guest waving him through, he just prevailed. The traditional route from here has been the likes of the Moulin, Sussex and back for the Queen Elizabeth II. Connections were not revealing plans but interestingly he is in the Golden Jubilee at the weekend (and July Cup) and he certainly possesses a turn of foot if not explosively so. His racing style suggests Goodwood is unlikely to suit so the Moulin may come into focus later in the season, although he has 10f entries headed by the Coral-Eclipse.

Darjina failed to give four-year-olds a 15th win in the last 17 runnings and added to the list of beaten fillies in this feature. The race was certainly not run to suit on faster ground than she shines on and as such she has run a cracker, only just failing to reel in the winner. She had not shone on two previous runs at the track but enjoyed the straight mile and could just have done with a stronger pace. There is no reason to think she won't repeat her win in the Moulin.

Cesare's love of Ascot's straight track is well documented and he did nothing to diminish it here, again looking desperately unlucky, looking to step up on his narrow defeat in the Lockinge. The race was certainly not run to suit as a hold-up horse and just as he looked set to challenge he found his path blocked for a crucial 100yds before he closed late. There will be no justice if he does not gain a deserved Group 1 with the Queen Elizabeth II (narrowly beaten into fourth last year) the obvious possibility.

Mount Nelson took the eye as he was lengthening well to the line after being another short of room, more of a hazard to this long-striding colt. He was striding out strongly when it was all over. He has not always impressed over 10f and has won and predominately raced on easier ground. He looks on his way back to better things this summer, having strengthened up.

Sageburg failed to run his race but had excuses in being drawn widest out and not getting cover - throwing his head around early and failing to settle into any rhythm. The run can be forgiven and forgotten.

Linngari is not overbig and, after racing keenly chasing the pace, was one of the first rousted along as the pace picked up but he was still in there battling when the meat in the sandwich, which put him out ofthe race.

Arabian Gleam switched right to try to find room, only succeeding in bumping Cesare and he could not run to his Lockinge form. Both he and last year's Jersey winner Tariq, another to race keenly despite being dropped in last, made a brief effort in the dash for the line but their runs flattened out in the final furlong to suggest 7f might be their optimum.

Spirito Del Vento was another held up in this tactical affair and could not get competitive on ground probably a bit too lively for him. [BJ]

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