Expert Analysis

A tremendous contest, bringing together a trio of the very best middle-distance horses in Europe, and it did not disappoint, with Calandagan and Ombudsman sweeping through from off the pace late and the former asserting with the best performance in this race since Cracksman in 2018. That pace was sound to begin with, then stronger from halfway, though the first 2 were 10 to 12 lengths off it from 6f out to 3f out and did plenty of running thereafter, deserving upgrading a bit compared to more efficiently-ridden rivals. The winner’s 23.73s for the final 2f on ground slightly on the fast side of good prompts a 104.2% finishing speed, while the overall time of 2m 3.19s was easily fastest in this race since Cirrus des Aigles broke the course record by running 0.67s quicker in 2011.

CALANDAGAN (128+ here, 125+ previously) put up the performance of the 2025 European season to go one better than 12 months before, as well as the best in this race since Cracksman posted ratings of 133 in both 2017 and 2018, the way things unfolded showing him in a good light, with sectionals and the degree to which he was on top late on suggesting he can go higher still. He was held up in rear travelling well, made smooth headway after 3f out a bit wide, quickened to the front with 1½f to go and continued to run on strongly, first under the whip then just pushed out as Ombudsman was turned away. He had served notice of a performance of this magnitude previously – notably with an electric turn of foot in winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – and the only “blot” on his copybook of late had been a defeat by an on-song Jan Brueghel in a demanding 12f on good to soft going at Epsom that showed the limits of his stamina rather than his ability.

OMBUDSMAN (123+ here, 127 previously) was beaten on merit though possibly a fraction below his York form, like the winner held up behind and going well, following that one through after 3f out and getting to within a length of him with 1f to go before flattening out somewhat. He has had a fine season at the top level, inferior only to Calandagan in this division as well as overall on balance. The signs are that a well-run 10f suits him well, with the winner stronger than him right at the death here.

ALMAQAM (120 here and previously) was back to his very best (represented by his defeat of Ombudsman at Sandown in May, which looks even better now than it did at the time) away from truly good to firm ground, the most efficiently ridden of the principals in being close up in the main body, briefly 2^nd again 2f out then one paced and just clinging onto 3^rd. There would be few better 10f horses around than him at present and he can be expected to win races in 2026, with relatively few miles on the clock to date.

DELACROIX (120 here, 124 previously) ran respectably, high-class rather than top-class on balance, with things not going perfectly for him here. He was held up, just ahead of the first 2 most of the way but failing to respond as immediately as them turning in, getting briefly boxed in as they went past then running on well, especially in the final 1f, in which he was 2^nd-fastest in the field but just unable to get past Almaqam. He goes to stud with plenty to recommend him, a speedy 10f performer who might have been effective back at 8f ridden closer to the pace.

FIRST LOOK (114 here, 116 previously) had been in good form in France, winning his previous 3 starts, but was put in his place while running creditably, always around the same place.

FOX LEGACY (111 here, 117 previously) could not quite back up his highly impressive Goodwood win, but this was a big ask and he was by no means discredited, mostly around the same place.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (108 here and previously) did a lot of the donkey work and was briefly a couple of lengths up going to 2f out, headed and weakening soon after but running creditably and clearly in good heart.

ECONOMICS (108 here, 122 previously) had been off for a year and showed he retains at least useful ability but was found to have bled from the nose again.

ALMERIC (101 here, 115 previously) was a bit slowly away then in mid-field until outpaced from before 3f out, not good enough under these circumstances.

PRAGUE (90 here, 105 previously)

MOUNT KILIMANJARO (88 here, 108 previously)