THE Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival was the scene of numerous spectacular performances over the four days with the crowds witnessing the headline act as early as the fourth race on the opening day with Mishriff (127) producing a display of dominance to win the Juddmonte International Stakes by a stunning six lengths.

John Gosden’s globetrotting son of Make Believe was breaking his Group 1 duck on home shores over the trip and on ground his trainer described as his perfect conditions.

I would also add the course to the list as the long straight of the Knavesmire enabled Mishriff to engage top gear earlier than at Ascot where the finishing straight is half the distance.

David Egan always held the perfect position before asking his partner to extend when Mac Swiney attempted to stretch the field and, courtesy of a 10.79 second individual furlong running to the two-furlong pole, he clocked a closing sectional of 34.16 seconds.

This represented a feat only bettered on the day by Copper Knight (96) (34.04 seconds) and Tweet Tweet (98) (34.13 seconds) who raced over five furlongs give or take the 89 yards extra covered by the former.

John Gosden was keen to point out after the race he was likely to give Mishriff a short break before an autumn campaign that could take in the Arc but, given the comments on the requirement of good ground, his participation cannot be guaranteed at this long-range stage. Other races mentioned were the Breeders’ Cup and Japan Cup.

The final superiority over his field was due to his closing sectional being 1.01 seconds faster than his opponents with perhaps surprisingly Alcohol Free (107) (35.17 seconds) the next best, despite fading badly in the final furlong, the daughter of No Nay Never will no doubt revert to a mile from here on in.

It was a similar story for Mohaafeth (112) (35.19 seconds) in that he came from a similar position to Alcohol Free and he too looked a non-stayer.

Having previously won over the same distance, albeit at a lesser grade, it may be a shorter finishing straight like Ascot suits the William Haggas-trained colt better than the long straight at this venue.

The son of Frankel posted the fastest individual furlong (10.78 seconds) of the field when running to the two-furlong pole.

Leger claims

In contrast, Alenquer (115) gave the strong impression a greater distance of ground will suit as he looked to press forward his St Leger claims. Tom Marquand took his time to join the field from his wide draw and was handily placed before being outpaced, looking likely to be fifth at best before staying on stronger than those around him in the final furlong.

The son of Adlerflug posted a three-furlong sectional of 35.21 seconds which included a closing furlong of 12.59 seconds. Those numbers were only surpassed by the winner which backed up the impression he can benefit from going further.

The Group 2 Great Voltigeur went the way of Yibir (113) who was on his best behaviour to turn the tables on both Sir Lucan and Youth Spirit who both finished in front of him at Goodwood.

Easier task

James Doyle enjoyed a much easier task than William Buick endured at Goodwood as Charlie Appleby’s colt settled nicely in the reapplied hood, before coming from last to first to win decisively.

The overall race time was not as fast as the International when adjusted for distance but, in running the final three furlongs in 34.68 seconds, the winner displayed he possesses a turn of foot to match, if not beat, most of his generation.

The son of Dubawi could line-up for the Irish St Leger at the Curragh although his trainer also reported there was an option to go to Belmont Park for a three-year-old-only contest.

There was no shortage of St Leger entrants in behind the winner although none of them would have matched the rating achieved by Alenquer despite recording faster closing sectionals.

The Mediterranean (111) took full advantage of being handed an uncontested lead and saw the race out strongly, his closing sectional of 35.62 seconds was slightly slower than Youth Spirit (110) (35.24 seconds) and Sir Lucan (110) (35.03 seconds) as they came from further back in the field.

The point to note regarding The Mediterranean was that his final furlong was the fastest of the trio, data which indicated he could be the best suited by the increased distance of the St Leger.