Verdict

The filly Crystallium was entered in the 2.35 May Hill here yesterday. Hougoumont’s win at Newcastle has sent out mixed messages and this is much tougher. Desert Order is more interesting having won a very competitive maiden at York when well supported. He makes more appeal than Chelmsford winner Zu Run but most attention will be focused on NOSTRUM. The Kingman colt is out of a Listed winner and a half-brother to five winners. He bolted up on debut at Sandown and entries in the Royal Lodge and Dewhurst suggest he is held in very high regard.

Formwatch

Desert Order (IRE) 10-11fav (9-7) Made all, edged right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at York 7f mdn stks (2) gf in Aug beating Glenfinnan (9-7) by 1/2l, 17 ran.

Hougoumont 5-2 (9-5) Close up, led halfway, ridden and faced strong challenge over 1f out, drifted left inside last, ran on well, just held on, won at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Aug beating Tribal Hunter (9-7) by shd, 14 ran.

Nostrum 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, led inside final 2f, shaken up and went clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Jul beating Golden Speech (9-7) by 3l, 10 ran.

Zu Run 10-1 (9-7) Chased leader, joined leader and travelling strongly 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well and went clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Aug beating Band Of Steel (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.

Crystallium 5-2fav (9-0) Close up, pushed along to lead over 1f out, edged left but ran on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Chelmsford City 7f fll stks (4) pol in Aug beating Caernarfon (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.