Expert Analysis

Several non-runners on account of the much softer ground than at the time of declaration (between “soft” and “good to soft” at this stage judged on times) made this less competitive than it might have been, but Wonderful Tonight took it with authority and with a performance up to the usual scratch for the race, a somewhat stop-start gallop putting an extra emphasis on late speed, the race finishing speed of 104% comfortably quicker than par. In contrast to some races on the round course after the deluge of Friday morning, the runners stuck to the inner throughout.   

WONDERFUL TONIGHT (116 here and previously) belied doubts about her race-fitness on what was her reappearance with a performance as good as anything she had put up previously, prominent and a shade free, leading and quickening 2f out, edging across to the far rail but running on strongly, her jockey able to put his whip down late on. She won the 14f Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp and the 12f British Champions Day Fillies & Mares at this track on her last two starts in 2020, both on ground at least as soft as was the case here, and deserves her chance against the males in a Group 1 on the back of this.

BROOME (116 here, 115 previously) is proving highly consistent at 10f/12f this year, albeit just below the level of the truly elite performers, racing in mid-field, taking a while to hit top stride (as tends to be the case with him) but staying on well and strong at the death, upgraded a similar amount to the winner on sectionals.

HUKUM (114 here and previously) ran his race in this tougher company, tracking the pace going well and looking a big threat when leading for a stride or two 2f out, only for the winner to quicken away from him and the second to stay on past him later. It had been softly, softly with him early in his career but he is now getting a good run at his racing.

THUNDEROUS (109 here and previously) looks a bit lacking at this level but ran creditably again, blinkered for the first time and keeping on again having raced prominently then been done for pace early in the straight.

ALBAFLORA (105 here, 113 previously), along with Japan, did not do a huge amount for the form of the Coronation Cup (in which she was fourth and he was third), mid-field and keeping on again late, worth another try at further.

JAPAN (106 here, 114 previously) found little, not for the first time, while drifting right and has been disappointing for some time now bar his Chester win when things were in his favour.

SIR RON PRIESTLEY (106 here, 115 previously) was possibly unsuited by this softer ground edging left after leading.

ILARAAB (105 here, 109 previously) has form on soft (albeit at shorter) and was not altogether discredited faced by a much stiffer task than for his six wins prior to this.

HIGHEST GROUND (100 here, 109 previously) has little form on going softer than good.

DEJA (58 here, 108 previously) remains out of form.