What did we learn from the Tattersalls Stakes? Our experts assess Modern Games

'I wouldn't be rushing to back him for next season's 2,000 Guineas'

A six-runner race splitting into three groups of two spread across the Rowley Mile meant this looked a messy race, but the time was not too shabby, and Modern Games did comfortably beat the right horse in favourite Trident.

Modern Games shaped as if he'd get a mile, as he was pushed along a fair way out, but got better the further he went. I wouldn't be rushing to back him for next season's Qipco 2,000 Guineas, but the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, for which he was given a 6-1 quote by Paddy Power, makes sense.

The race takes place over a mile, and trainer Charlie Appleby knows what sort of horse is needed to win, having been successful in 2013 with Outstrip and 2018 with Line Of Duty.
David Baxter, juvenile judge

Charlie Appleby tees up another Breeders' Cup contender after Modern Games win

'The ground was quicker than many had anticipated'

Modern Games was impressive in the Tattersalls Stakes, but he would be some way behind Native Trail at Moulton Paddocks, therefore connections are looking elsewhere with him rather than send him up against his Godolphin stablemate in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes back at the track next month.

One issue throughout the afternoon was that with a drying wind, the ground was quicker than many had anticipated, which didn't suit some, including runner-up Trident. It will be interesting to see how the form stacks up.
David Milnes, Newmarket correspondent

'It was an odd-looking race'

Modern Games did what he needed to do in a professional manner and was quite pleasing on the eye. It's reasonable to conclude that he's stepped forward on his previous win, in a nursery off a mark of 90, but there might not have been much depth to this.

Trident finished weakly, lost a shoe and might not have enjoyed the fastest ground he has encountered. It was an odd-looking race, with the six runners immediately splitting into pairs across the width of the track.

We'll find out more about how different parts of the track are riding over the next two days but it might be that Modern Games was in the right place, benefiting from an efficient ride.
Chris Cook, senior reporter

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