This had the makings of one of the highlights of the week, and it did not disappoint, the dual 2,000 Guineas winner HENRYTHENAVIGATOR completing a Newmarket-Royal Ascot double achieved only by the same stable's Rock Of Gibraltar since To-Agori-Mou way back in 1981. In doing so he smashed the record for the new course. Aidan O'Brien was on record in the Racing Post saying that Henrythenavigator was "probably the best miler" he has ever trained, and that's high praise indeed considering he trained not only Rock Of Gibraltar, but also Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and George Washington. In the age of spin such comments usually need taking with a large pinch of salt, but Henrythenavigator confirmed here that he is an exceptional colt, and one blessed with an extraordinary change of pace. Henrythenavigator had a pacemaker, and more importantly his ideal ground, unlike the French Guineas second Rio De La Plata, who was withdrawn because it had dried out too much, but it still takes a very special colt towin three times at the very highest level in little more than six weeks. Held up at the back of the field with only Raven's Pass behind him, he travelled well, as he had done at both Newmarket and the Curragh, and he made his challenge between Alexandrosand Twice Over inside the last 2f. What impressed so much was his change of gear, for he made good rivals look almost pedestrian and he was already in front going to the furlong marker. Johnny Murtagh momentarily got his reins into a bit of a tangle, butit was nothing to worry about and he was always firmly in charge, although Raven's Pass was edging closer all the while. No plans were forthcoming afterwards, but if he follows in the footsteps of Rock Of Gibraltar it will be the Sussex Stakes and the Prix du Moulin, and granted the all important fast ground it is hard to see him beaten. Thank goodness he didn't run in the Derby.

Raven's Pass also loves firm ground - witness his 7l win in last year's Solario - and he was better than the bare form of his 2,000 Guineas fourth suggests, as he had covered a lot of ground getting cover from what turned out a poor draw and his effort flattened out a bit in the final furlong. We saw in the Dewhurst and the Craven what a good horse he might be under optimum conditions, and he confirmed it here with a terrific effort, coming from a little further back than Henrythenavigator, whom he was tracking starting up the straight, going just as well. It was only inside the last 2f that Jimmy Fortune went for him, and he responded really well, gradually eating into the winner's lead inside the final furlong but never quite getting there. This allayed any fears that he might not truly get this trip, and all roads now lead to the Breeders' Cup Mile. He looks just the sort for the race.

Cat Junior was the least experienced in the race and ran a blinder infourth. A reluctant leader in the early stages, he then led the main group after pacemaker Minneapolis went clear. He got a bit outpaced starting up the straight but then ran on again to leave the form of his reappearance sixth in a Newmarket conditions race well behind. There is a little bit of stamina on the dam's side and he runs as if he will stay a bit further. He is clearly useful, and he might be one for America later on.

Falco may have been flattered a bit by his French 2,000 Guineas win, where he got first run on the placed horses, but he is a pretty good colt in his own right all the same. This time he went on from the pacemaker 3f out, but he was then quickly put in his place.

Disappointment of the race was Stubbs Art, who had been third at both Newmarket and the Curragh. While he was at the rear of the field starting up the short straight, he still looked to be going well enough. He should have finished much closer and there was no obvious explanation, but perhaps another quick race - this was his fourth in little more than seven weeks - was just too much for him.

Alexandros, the Godolphin second string until Rio De La Plata was pulled out, never got any cover at all from stall 1, and he may well have found the fast ground against him too. He can do better in the autumn. [GD]

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