BARRY HILLS kept his pattern race winning record intact when In Command captured the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Yesterday. Without a Group victory in England this year, the Lambourn trainer salvaged his season to land his second success in Europe's leading two year old race.

The colt's head triumph ensured that Hills and Henry Cecil remain the only handlers to have trained a Group winner every year since the pattern was established in 1971.

In Command, ridden by Hills' son Michael, just held off Musical Pursuit with Air Express a neck back in third in a desperate finish to the Group One event. He turned the tables on Middle Park winner Bahamian Bounty a length ahead of him last time, but only fourth yesterday on this step up to seven furlongs. Kahal was filth and Desert King sixth.

But as a trial for next year's 2,000 Guineas, the result made little impact other than to enhance the claims of Bahhare and Revoque, who remain at the head of the market on 5 to 1 and 7 to respectively.

In Command, a 10 to 1 chance, has been beaten by both candidates this year and as a result remains a best priced 25 to 1 for the Classic. But that was of no concern to Hills, who had to share the spoils in 1988 when Scenic dead heated with Prince Of Dance.

"The horse was helped by the rain which has made a difference between winning and losing. He has done well since the Middle Park and I was very reassured to see the rain," said Hills.

David Loder said of Bahamian Bounty Frankie felt the horse didn't stay seven furlongs there was always a doubt on his pedigree." But Musical Pursuit, in the same colours as Even Top, will be back at Newmarket next spring after his encouraging display.

He has just run a bit green, said trainer Mark Tompkins. Pat said he was a bit babyish when he picked him up but once he got the message he was gaining on him all the time. "The Guineas will be his target a mile will be perfect for him."

Moonlight Paradise enhanced her claims for next year's 1.000 Guineas with a fluent victory in the Group Three Rockfel Stakes, no doubt putting a relieved smile on the face of Kieren Fallon in the process.

Godolphin's filly produced a fine effort when second to Pas de Reponse in the Cheveley Park Stakes here a fortnight ago but many felt Fallon had played his hand too late aboard Dazzle, who had started odds on to extend her unbeaten record, but only finished fourth.

Connections decided to replace him with falter Swinburn for yesterday's race but the change in personnel failed to bring about a chance of result.