There were only 6 runners but this may have been the best quality King Edward VII Stakes in some time, a superior runner-up in the Derby at Epsom facing a quartet of smart performers and an Italian Derby third. It was spoilt to a degree by a slow pace – the finishing speed of 108.8% was second-fastest of the week – but that did at least allow us to see what King of Steel could do in adversity, and the answer was “plenty”, as he put in late splits of 11.54s, 11.69s (both remarkably fast for a middle-distance horse here) and finally 12.19s.
KING OF STEEL (118+ here, 120+ previously) had put up a performance at Epsom easily good enough to win this race in an average year and strictly did not quite have to reproduce it to win with authority, nonetheless impressing mightily with the pace he showed in a race that could have gone wrong for him. He was held up last having missed a beat at the start (hooded in stall again), over-racing a bit to begin with, then came from last 4f out to lead with 2f to go, quickening clear and shifting right at the same time, ridden and running on strongly. He should be fine at 10f under a suitable ride but whether it is that trip or 12f he is an exciting horse for the months ahead.
CONTINUOUS (112 here, 109 previously) probably ran his best race yet, no disgrace in going down to a high-class rival, settled in third or fourth, quickening well himself to challenge briefly 2f out (11.82s and 11.84s furlongs at that stage) but finding the winner accelerating by, checked ever so briefly as that one shifted across and mostly pushed out. He should be up to winning a Group3 or possibly Group 2 at 10f/12f.
ARTISTIC STAR (108 here and previously) confirmed he was better than he had been able to show at Epsom, this track possibly more suitable, but that proved to be nowhere near good enough. He raced close up, led briefly 3f out and then kept on. He is likely to stay further still.
DUBAI MILE (108 here and previously) carried a small penalty and ran close to the balance of his form, setting a slow pace for a long way, increasing it before headed with 3f to go then tending to edge left under pressure as he was outpaced. He may be worth another try at 10f and on easier ground too.
ARREST (99 here, 114 previously) was even further below form than at Epsom, the ground quite possibly the main issue, though he also did himself no favours by tending to over-race early.
RELENTLESS VOYAGER (95 here, 101 previously) found this too hot, soon outpaced when things really heated up, though he kept on again late in the day and seems likely to stay further.
