This looked a good renewal beforehand, but a few failed to run up to their best and there was not a great deal of strength behind the winner, who was, nonetheless, impressive. The pace took a couple of furlongs to pick up but was strong thereafter, with Chief Little Rock leading by a few lengths and the field quite well strung out. The winner’s final 2f went by in 24.34s for a 102.5% finishing speed, but everything else finished at below 100%, some of them well below that figure.
CALANDAGAN (115+ here, 110 previously) had achieved more than acknowledged in some circles in his Group 3 wins at Longchamp this year but still has to be considered to have improved a fair bit, held up in rear before improving quickly on the outer turning in, leading over 1f out and forging clear, initially for pressure but under hands and heels near the line. The increase in trip might have helped given how stoutly bred he is on his dam’s side but he looked all round a very smart individual on the day.
SPACE LEGEND (105+ here, 102+ previously) remains with potential if not quite as much as implied by his being initially made favourite for this, held up mid to rear, tending to lug right as he made good headway over 2f out then running on without having a chance with the clearing-off winner. He should stay 14f.
ROYAL SUPREMACY (102 here and previously) confirmed his form when third in the Derby Italiano the time before, possibly even improving on it, coming from off the pace, briefly short of room and staying on. Despite his breeding, he could well be suited by 14f/16f.
MONDO MAN (101 here, 107 previously) was a big price given what he had achieved in the Prix du Jockey Club, though neither he nor First Look (second in that, fourth in the Hampton Court earlier in the week) paid much of a compliment to that form. He again blew the start and was in rear before making late gains, steadily rather than quickly.
THE EUPHRATES (99 here, 101 previously) ran creditably in a first-time visor well there until no extra late on and a bit better than the result given how things unfolded.
MACDUFF (97 here, 104 previously) paid for racing close up, leading briefly in the home straight, in first-time cheekpieces, taking a while to settle again early. He may be best returned to 10f.
AGENDA (92 here, 108 previously) could not match his Chester form on this firmer ground, though did show up well close up for a long way and was a bit better than the result.
HARPER’S FERRY (89 here, 92 previously) did not look especially out of place in this company, for all that his form is not even useful, weakening after turning in close up.
WAR ROOMS (84 here, 104 previously) was always behind. There is a suspicion that his Dante second flatters him slightly.
DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (0 here, 110 previously) went as if not right, as, on reflection, may have been the case in the Prix du Jockey Club given that 10f/12f should suit him very well on breeding. He was in mid-field but off the bridle before most and capitulated in the home straight.
THEORY OF TIDES (0 here, 93 previously)
CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (0 here, 109 previously) went pretty hard up front before capitulating at a trip at which he is unproven, and can probably be forgiven this.
VOYAGE (0 here, 89+ previously)
DEFIANCE (0 here, 102 previously)
