An eagerly anticipated St James’s Palace lived up to its billing as we were treated to an enthralling contest. This race had pretty much everything from drama to fascinating tactics, ending with a great finish between high quality horses (not to mention an interesting steward’s enquiry). Puerto Rico ensured this was a true test after the opening furlong with three consecutive quick furlongs. As a result, they were slowing at the finish, although the first two were not as much as the rest. In the end, the smooth-travelling Bow Echo, was able to withstand the late surge of his teak-tough rival, Gstaad, who rallied gamely late on.
possibly deserves to have his effort marked up slightly given the “interference” and the round trip. He travelled so smoothly into contention early in the home straight and while the response wasn’t as dramatic as it was at Newmarket, he quickened into the lead (11.80 seconds furlong was the quickest in the second half of the race) before the furlong pole. The final 100 yards tested his stamina reserves, but he held on gamely to win by a short head, on the bob. He wasn’t at his brilliant best with how the race played out, but he showed his battling qualities and certainly added another string to his bow (no pun intended).
doesn’t travel as well as Bow Echo, but he has incredible battling qualities and kept finding under Ryan Moore. He got the split up the rail after Puerto Rico moved off around the home turn, but he grinds rather than really accelerates and lacked the gears of the winner in the penultimate furlong. His stamina came through late on and saw him get very close at the line. I wonder if connections will be tempted to try him over further as I would love to see him in an Eclipse (they do have Constitution River potentially too). I have my doubts that he will ever reverse this form over a mile.
ran a screamer on his first try in a Group 1, coming from a facile success in listed company. He was very keen early on, as he tends to be and if he learns to race more efficiently, further improvement is likely. He travelled well, but this stiff mile and his earlier exertions combined late on as he faded inside the final furlong. He could be one for the Prix De La Foret on Arc day later in the year as seven furlongs may well prove to be his optimum trip.
fared best of the rest in his second race here. He was no match for the first three who are proper Group 1 animals, but considering he was right up with the early pace, he shaped creditably, lasting much longer than Puerto Rico.
ran far better than his rating of 88, although he was helped by a patient ride which meant he was more efficiently ridden than both Power Blue and Puerto Rico.
was the sacrificial lamb here as he forced a strong pace for which he ultimately paid the price for in the home straight. His rider picked up an 8-day ban as he was judged to have moved off the rails to benefit his stablemate Gstaad.
