Expert Analysis

Potentially one of the races of the 2021 season, anywhere, and it did not disappoint, with two high-class colts scrapping it out and pursued by a clutch of very smart rivals, Baaeed achieving the best recent rating in a race which for once did not suffer by comparison with the Champion Stakes itself. It was a rather tactical affair, however, with a slow opening 2f/3f resulting in a race finishing speed of over 105% of average race speed (just under 100% is par). The first three and the fifth all get sizeable sectional upgrades, but with the “right” horse winning and finishing second by those means. The runners stuck quite close to the far rail from an early stage. 

BAAEED (126 here, 120 previously) progressed again, performing to a significantly higher level here than he had when winning at Longchamp the time before from a trio who had flopped since, and may not have finished improving yet, his career having started as recently as June and 2022 holding the prospect of his being tried at 9f/10f (trips that his breeding and striding suggest he will stay). He was ridden with well-placed confidence, tracking his main rival before quickening to lead approaching the final 1f, ridden and responding well, always just the better thereafter. It will take a very good one to lower his colours when on form, and he has the added bonus of seeming a most straightforward ride to date.

PALACE PIER (125 here and previously) ran well, much better than when suffering his only previous defeat in this race 12 months before, tracking the initially steady pace travelling well, his jockey looking round a couple of times for danger, carrying his head high but leading briefly after 2f out and running on well but just unable to match Baaeed, who was slightly faster than him in each of the last five splits. There was no disgrace in this defeat against a very talented rival whatsoever.  

LADY BOWTHORPE (118 here and previously) returned to the superlative form of her second to Palace Pier in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May, not that she has been slacking in between, slowly away and held up in mid-field, running on well late without getting in a blow, equalling Palace Pier’s splits for the final 2f and third-best on merit. She reflects well on all associated with her. 

THE REVENANT (118 here and previously) may be slightly better on even softer (though the ground here was genuinely “good to soft” on times), but in other respects had no excuses faced with a stiffer task than 12 months before, racing in second, niggled at halfway but coming to have every chance 2f out before outpaced. 

MOTHER EARTH (113+ here, 115 previously) caught the eye, visually and on sectionals, and is ending a quite demanding season in even better heart than she started it, held up in rear travelling well, with a lot to do after the pace picked up and running on strongly to be nearest at the finish, her last three splits fractionally faster than the winner’s. She does not know how to run a poor race.   

NJORD (111 here, 109 previously) ran well, his proximity arguably the only small question mark about the overall form, slowly into stride and improving well from mid-to-rear approaching 2f out (recording the fastest split in the entire race) before his effort petered out.

MASTER OF THE SEAS (109 here, 117 previously) has winning form on good to soft but is a pacey type who may be best when the ground is more on top, free and held up before making no impression late on.

ALCOHOL FREE (100 here, 119 previously) ended the season with a whimper rather than a bang, but has a fine record overall, tracking the pace and asked for an effort when short of room 2f out, finding little after.

BENBATL (88 here, 116 previously) may well be best on good going or firmer and caved in after dictating the pace until approaching 2f out.

LORD GLITTERS (76 here, 115 previously) is not as consistent as he once was and never looked like getting into this having been steadied and free.