A deeply impressive winner of this prestigious race in Westover, who recorded the highest rating in the race since Jack Hobbs (rated 123) won by five lengths and five and a half in 2015, and who added further ballast to the form of the Derby at Epsom, where he might easily have shaken up the winner Desert Crown but for getting stopped in his run at a crucial stage. He was ultimately left with not a lot to beat, given that the Oaks winner Tuesday failed to run to her best, but all the numbers back this up as a classy performance, including a good overall time in a largely well-run race (105.9% finishing speed is only a bit quicker than par).
WESTOVER (122+ here, 116+ previously) was left with quite a straightforward task, with easily his biggest danger on form, Tuesday, failing to fire, but won in tremendous style even so and with good numbers to back it up, rated about the same amount better here than the margin Desert Crown had beaten him by at Epsom, and it would be difficult to choose between the pair were they to meet under neutral circumstances. He raced in second and went well, led well over 2f out and stayed away from the far rail, drawing gradually clear and strong at the finish, given just a couple of cracks with the whip. He is very likely to stay 14f if asked.
PIZ BADILE (111 here, 109 previously) returned to form on a more conventional track than Epsom, racing in third for much of the way, pushed along fully 4f out but responding to move into second over 1f out and staying on. He should find another race or two at a slightly lesser level.
FRENCH CLAIM (108 here, 107 previously) was back to his best under a positive ride, soon leading, feeling the heat before 3f out and losing first then second soon after, but sticking to his task pretty well. He should be as effective returned to 10f ridden in this manner.
TUESDAY (102 here, 115 previously) showed little of the zip that had been in evidence at Epsom and probably was not herself, ending up some way back but pushed along with fully half a mile to go (bumped a rival soon after) and making only a little headway before petering out late on. She should be back, possibly after a break, though it is worth restating that it was her sharp turn of foot in a tactical race that particularly shone in The Oaks.
GLORY DAZE (101 here and previously) left a dire run at Epsom behind with a creditable effort here but needs his sights lowering, always around the same place and pushed along some way out.
BOUNDLESS OCEAN (98 here, 101 previously) had a lot on his plate and seemed to run creditably, though never dangerous.
HANNIBAL BARCA (93 here, 111 previously) disappointed, held up, bumped over 3f out and making no progress thereafter. It’s possible he will prove better at shorter but there seemed to be more to this run than that.
LIONEL (0 here, 102 previously) needed to improve plenty but ran poorly even so, in mid-field until dropping back turning in and eased right off in the end.
