David Payne-trained Toulouse, resuming since being gelded, scored a promising first up win, his first success in four starts to date. He settled nicely in fourth place on the rails in the small five-horse field, got along the inner of the third at the home turn and proved too strong over the closing stages, running the 1400m out well and scoring a good win. His stablemate Silent Explorer raced outside the leader (Ronstar), got to the front at the 200m and then held on nicely for second in a sound effort at his third race start. The favourite Ronstar went to the front as expected, set a reasonable tempo, was challenged on straightening, weakened from the 200m and held on for third, his first defeat in three starts, seemingly being tested by the step up to 1400m here.