A thrilling St James’s Palace Stakes and a classy one, too, the winner close to average on recent runnings but better than the result and the second posting the highest figure for that finishing position since 2013. It was a tactical affair – no worse a spectacle for that – with a steady early pace leaving a few, including the winner, with a bit to do as things really heated up 3f out. Rosallion’s final 2f of 22.87s was the fastest by a winner since sectional timing started being published at Royal Ascot in 2020 (Baaeed’s 23.10s was the previous fastest), and the fastest this year by more than 0.5s (three lengths), translating to a finishing speed of 107.5%.
ROSALLION (122+4 here, 117+ previously) has seriously impressed with both his wins since a worthy defeat in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (where he raced close to the strong pace), showing a fine turn of foot to prevail at the Curragh and even more so here, as good a miler as there is around right now of any age. He took a good hold and was settled in mid-field, had a bit to do and did not get a lot of room over 2f out then quickened superbly once the gaps appeared, getting to the front with about 75 yards to go. He could well have a really top drawer effort in him, though this was not far from that itself.
HENRY LONGFELLOW (121 here and previously) was well backed and duly confirmed himself high-class, cannily ridden just behind the unexacting pace, responding well to forge to the front over 1f out but finding one finishing even stronger than him and giving best close home. It looks even more likely that it was ring-rustiness that proved his undoing in France, in a race won by the third here.
METROPOLITAN (114 here and previously) ran every bit as well as when winning the Poulains the time before despite seeming slightly disadvantaged by how things unfolded, quite prominent but off the bridle as things really heated up, briefly unable to hold his place then rallying. He shaped as if 10f should be within his scope this time.
UNQUESTIONABLE (111 here and previously) was back to his best, though that best does leave him vulnerable at this sort of level and he did have the run of things to a degree, leading until over 1f out.
ALYANAABI (110+ here, 112 previously) ran creditably despite getting a bit further back than ideal, headway 2f out and briefly disputing third, then one paced.
ALMAQAM (109+ here, 112 previously) shaped better than the result and is worth another go at this sort of level, slowly into stride and held up disputing last, outpaced after 3f out then running on well but never a threat. A son of Lope de Vega, he should stay, and may be suited by, 10f.
NOTABLE SPEECH (107 here, 121 previously) was not helped by how things unfolded but seemed to have an off day more than anything, better judged on his last-to-first win in a strongly run 2,000 Guineas, though Rosallion has leapfrogged him in the pecking order now. He was held up disputing last but in touch, made some headway wide 2f out but couldn’t raise his game thereafter and briefly edged right.
DARLINGHURST (97+ here, 111 previously) had his work cut out in this company but should still confirm himself as smart another day, travelling well enough in mid-field until shaken up 2f out, then finding nothing and possibly not right.
