GOODWOOD 15:40 5a6i4

Non Runners: ALJADY (FR).

Time: 1m 9.79s Closing Sectional: (4f): 45.45s (102.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 145%, Betfair SP 101.5%

A high-class performance from Khaadem to spreadeagle a field of good-quality handicappers, doing so from a mark 5 lb higher than the other pair of 3-y-os to win the race this century; he did have plenty in his favour on the day, a fierce pace set by Ornate suiting him well and meaning traffic problems were relatively low for a race like this, while he was well drawn as it turned out too, those from stalls 1-9 who raced on the far side filling 7 of the first 9 places, the other 2 groups merging from halfway, Raucous doing best of those; the form directly in behind the winner has a strong look to it, the third and fourth both having been in the frame in the Wokingham, the fifth lower in the weights than when touched off in the race the year before, and both the second and sixth in recent winning form.

KHAADEM (IRE) had much more on his plate than his status as well-backed favourite might have suggested, running from a mark 5 lb higher that the pair of recent 3-y-o winners of this, and his performance in thrashing a fairly strong field has to rate up with some of the very best in the race's history; raced far side, mid-division, travelled well, snuck through on rail and good headway under 2f out, quickened to lead inside final 1f, soon clear, impressive; only 7 starts into his career, he's surely a Group-1 horse, the Sprint Cup likely to provide him with a good opportunity to prove as much, the current crop of 3-y-o sprinters looking much stronger than they did immediately after the Commonwealth Cup.

OPEN WIDE (USA) after just 5 days off, continues in really good heart, coming from a long way back having met trouble at a key stage; steadied at the start, raced far side, patiently ridden, going well when snatched up 2f out, good headway entering final 1f, stayed on well, no impression on winner.

RAUCOUS ran another cracker to add to his placing in the Wokingham, a 6-lb penalty picked up for his win in an optional claimer in between making things tricky for him (despite how well that form is working out), as did his draw, the only one in the first 7 home not to have raced in the far-side group of 9; mid-field, good headway under 2f out, challenged inside final 1f, stayed on.

SUMMERGHAND (IRE) is holding his form really well this year, hitting the frame in another big handicap, not having the clearest of runs either; raced far side, in touch, still going pretty well when bumped under 2f out, had to pick way through entering final 1f, stayed on, nearest at the finish.

JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE (IRE) lower in the weights than when just denied in this race last year, looked to have been aimed at a repeat attempt all season and ran really well, even better than the figures suggest; raced far side, led group, kicked on there under 2f out, hampered briefly by winner inside final 1f, no extra only very late on.

GULLIVER after just 7 days off, wasted no time getting back to form, still not handicapped out of things from this mark; raced far side, waited with, hampered under 2f out, edged left 1f out, ran on.

LAKE VOLTA (IRE) was well backed after just 7 days off but seemed to find the emphasis a little too much on speed back down in trip; raced far side, close up, effort 2f out, one paced.

STONE OF DESTINY shaped well, rather hamstrung by the draw this time; in touch, progress under 2f out, threatened entering final 1f, kept on, not ideally placed.

GROWL placed in this 3 times, ran well again for a long way after just 7 days off; raced far side, mid-division, good headway to challenge under 2f out, edged left, not quicken final 1f.

KIMIFIVE (IRE) only just touched off by Beat Le Bon at Haydock, caught the eye after just 7 days off, over 6f for the first time since his reappearance; raced well off the pace, no room 2f out, headway when carried markedly right inside final 1f, finished with running left, not knocked about.

EMBOUR (IRE) after just 5 days off, shaped as if still in good form, never really in a position to challenge; mid-field, had to pick way through under 2f out, hung right inside final 1f, one paced.

EL HOMBRE claimer ridden, wasn't in the same form as last time back on turf; missed the break, raced far side, chased leaders, ridden soon after halfway, not quicken over 1f out.

ARECIBO (FR) is best treated as if still in good form, having a tricky draw as it panned out; in rear, effort 2f out, kept on gradually.

COSMIC LAW (IRE) found this too competitive kept to 6f; in rear, labouring 2f out, some late headway.

GUNMETAL (IRE) was a bit below par in this race last year and it was the same again this time; held up, hung right over 2f out, plugged on; he roared back to win the Great St Wilfrid in 2018 and should head back there with solid claims once more.

SOLDIER'S MINUTE had a rather difficult draw but hasn't fired since winning so well at the Dante meeting; handy, edged right inside final 1f, one paced.

BURIDAN (FR) after 8 weeks off, is better judged on his small-field win the time before, in a far better race and on the disadvantaged side; slowly into stride, held up, effort over 2f out, one paced (not much room final 1f).

ORNATE turned out just 24 hours after finishing third to Battaash, can have this run overlooked, never going to last out going at 5f pace; led and soon about 5 lengths clear, closed down approaching final 1f, headed soon after, weakened.

SPANISH CITY turned in a rare poor effort in first-time blinkers; awkward leaving stalls, raced centre, mid-division, not quicken under 2f out, hung right over 1f out, one paced; he's a consistent sort who should bounce back to form quickly.

SIR MAXIMILIAN (IRE) claimer ridden, was on the disadvantaged side but went with very little encouragement this time; missed the break, raced off the pace, hung right from halfway, hampered 1f out, never involved.

GEORGE BOWEN (IRE) has developed an issue at the stalls that needs rectifying before he can really be considered again; reared leaving stalls, behind when hampered 1f out, never dangerous.

AIR RAID failed to fire again away from Hamilton, the firmer ground probably a factor (kept away from good to firm previously); raced centre, handy, not quicken under 2f out, weakened.

VANBRUGH (USA) had shaped better than the result in the Wokingham and again went through the race quite nicely back in a handicap but failed to pick up; dwelt, prominent, travelled better than most, not quicken over 1f out, hung right and went further that way inside final 1f, weakened.

HYPERFOCUS (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces after just 7 days off, seems to be in a lull for now, though it's worth noting he was a winner Ripon earlier in the season with the Great St Wilfrid (and consolation race) ; raced far side, tracked pace, not quicken under 2f out, faded.

TRUE MASON after 10 weeks off, is on a stiff-looking mark on the pick of his juvenile form, while he's yet to even reach that level this year; raced centre, mid-field, not quicken 2f out, held when hampered 1f out.

BARON BOLT hails from an in-form yard but is struggling at present, first-time blinkers failing to spark anything better than in the Wokingham; raced centre, mid-field, effort over 2f out, weakening when carried right 1f out.

FLAVIUS TITUS has had a good season and this isn't too difficult to forgive after 8 weeks off, also below form at the track last year (7f); raced centre, prominent, weakening when wandered 1f out, hampered inside final 1f, eased off.