GOODWOOD 15:10

All 10 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +12 yds

Time: 1m 37.35s Closing Sectional: (3f): 34.11s (106.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 121%, Betfair SP 100.2%

This was everything a Group 1 should be, the double-figure field including several generations, and the form of a high-class standard where 3 ran to in excess of 125, all making for a thrilling finish, with a tactical layer of intrigue right through the race; the 3-y-os dominated, 2 of them well established, Ribchester rising to their level, finishing almost alongside despite having to make up ground in real terms and not only on the form-book, Galileo Gold controlling things for a long way, The Gurkha sat right behind him this time with lessons learnt from Royal Ascot, and those held up the most had little chance, though they were no more than bit-part players on the ratings, anyway.

THE GURKHA (IRE) not yet in the top-class bracket of horses rated 130+, but he's getting there, and to dwell on what he's still to do is to underestimate just how far he's come, in little time, a debut defeat in April an unlikely first foot on a path that has incorporated 4 Group 1s in 10 weeks, a big-league breakthrough here after a few questions arose in that regard from Royal Ascot and Sandown, establishing himself as the best miler in Europe so far this season, though it's marginal, and the shadow of the sidelined Solow still looms; only 1-1 in match-ups with Galileo Gold, but this was a fairer fight than the St James's Palace, Moore keeping him much closer, slipstreaming the leader, had to wait briefly while Awtaad had first crack but nudged him out of the way approaching the final 1f and set about Galileo Gold, nosed ahead ½f out, and that it was so hard work to maintain that edge says plenty about the second and indeed the third, tight at the top in the division; more than ever, the QEII acts as a decider this year, at least in European terms, though the ultimate mile championship takes place in America at the Breeders' Cup where Tepin awaits on her own patch.

GALILEO GOLD lost the battle but none of his status and the ongoing war between him and The Gurkha will roll on to the QEII all being well, very little between them as highlighted here, the strategic edge he had at Royal Ascot nullified here by the different ride on the winner, Galileo Gold going from the front and giving his all, headed ½f out, but proving hard to put away, his attitude (including how straightforward a ride he is) a plus point that ratings can't account for and always something of a hidden advantage; his record this season speaks for itself, 2 wins and 2 seconds from 4 Group 1s.

RIBCHESTER (IRE) made up most of the 3½l deficit on Galileo Gold from the Guineas, a Jersey win in between proof of progress, but even so it was still something of a surprise that he matched up so well to the first 2 who were both right on their game, and nothing flattering about it, coming from behind that pair, against the rail in mid-field, manoeuvred left 2f out, briefly hanging further that way before knuckling down, impressively so, thrusting at the 'big 2' in the last 100 yds; his fast finish was as much about speed as stamina, Goodwood playing it up, and Group 1 miles on stiffer tracks may not be so conducive to his qualities.

TOORMORE (IRE) different tactics backfired, but at the same time there's more than enough evidence to think he wouldn't have lived with 3-y-os of this class however he was ridden, by-passing his usual spot in the Lennox to go for the big one but never more than a bit-part player in Group 1s since his 2-y-o days; best of the rest, and best of those from off the pace, but only running up to his rating, essentially not in the same league as the principals.

GABRIAL (IRE) third in previous (more diluted) renewals, swept up what pieces he could with his late-coming ploy and picked up as much for finishing fifth as winning a good listed race.

LIGHTNING SPEAR is the one from the pack who could yet bridge at least some of the gap to the first 3, his rating from the Queen Anne on his debut for David Simcock already putting him in that ballpark, and this was just a wasted run, the race and the ride not getting near the bottom of him, still last 2f out, finishing with running left; getting a win into him in a lesser grade may help him get his eye back in and really kickstart his campaign.

SO BELOVED hasn't kicked on as he promised to earlier in the season, but with some excuse, the ground no good to him in the Criterion and the company just too hot here, chasing the leaders 3f out but put in his place in the finish.

AWTAAD (IRE) was out as early as March, doing a lot of work to peak for the Irish Guineas, perhaps part of the reason the second half of his season has gone the way it has, a sideways step at Royal Ascot followed by a backward one here, albeit on firmer ground than he's used to, and reacting to the St James's Palace (like The Gurkha) he was out sharply to cover Galileo Gold, though on the outer from his draw, going keenly, hence his challenge was fairly short-lived.

KODI BEAR (IRE) cheekpieces no remedy, still looking a shadow of the horse he was last year, different tactics also tried this time (held up more), the spark still missing, already struggling/held when squeezed up over 1f out.

RICHARD PANKHURST fragile sort, but the reason he went backwards from his reappearance had as much to do with the company he was keeping, out of his depth, always behind.