Chaldean emerges as live Classic contender, but it wasn't a great Dewhurst

Chaldean thrust himself into the reckoning for Qipco 2,000 Guineas glory next season with success in the Dewhurst Stakes, although his performance will not go down as a vintage one.

Chaldean was beaten on his debut but has since won all four starts, including the Acomb Stakes at York and Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, this latest triumph capping a very progressive campaign.

He set the standard in the Dewhurst based on his Doncaster form but improved a further 4lb to a Racing Post Rating of 118. That, however, rates at the bottom end of recent Dewhurst winners, alongside the likes of War Command in 2013, Belardo in 2014 and St Mark’s Basilica in 2020, and some way short of the peak figures achieved by Too Darn Hot and Air Force Blue.