Usually one of the most significant 2-y-o races of the year, and that was probably the case with regards to the winner’s performance this time, though, with only 5 runners and a steady pace for a long way, it is difficult to be sure. Iberian’s final 2f of 23.14s (107.4% finishing speed) is fast for ground that was predominantly “good to soft” on the day.
IBERIAN (114+ here, 102+ previously) improved plenty on the form he had shown when runner-up at Goodwood to post one of the best performances by a 2-y-o in Britain so far this year, settling well a bit off the steady pace and quickening impressively to lead just inside the final 1f, edging right but continuing to run on strongly. Speed was the feature of his performance here, including stride speed (2.51 maximum strides/second), and, while, he should stay 8f with little problem, he would not be guaranteed to be as effective at further still.
SUNWAY (108 here, 91 previously) had been a long way behind Rosallion at Ascot but justified his lofty reputation with a very useful effort, albeit one in which he got to dictate matters until past halfway. He settled well in front, began to crank things up mid-race and kept on running on once headed just inside the final 1f despite briefly edging right under pressure. A brother to the Lagardere and Qipco Champion Stakes winner Sealiway, he should stay 8f.
ROSALLION (103 here, 111 previously) was probably not at his best perhaps on account of the softer ground, his Ascot run (in which Sunway was well behind) backed up by a good time and splits, though he might well have had to be even better than there to hold off the improving Iberian. He took a good hold under restraint, was shaken up over 2f out and improved to have every chance approaching the final 1f, but failed to quicken thereafter, hit over the nose by a rival rider’s whip and going backwards if anything late on. He is worth forgiving this, likely to stay 8f, if not necessarily be better at that trip than this.
MOUNTAIN BEAR (101 here and previously) seemed to run creditably with no obvious excuses, disputing the lead briefly early and then in second until unable to quicken from 2f out.
POWER MODE (0 here, 90 previously) failed to settle early and dropped away disappointingly when the pace quickened.
