ELDAR Eldarov (122+) produced the time performance of the St Leger meeting to land the feature race and final classic of the British season.

Although racing wide apart in the early stages, French Claim and Lizzie Jean set a strong early gallop which ensured the emphasis was on stamina, an aspect of the race which was heightened further when the pace quickened again at the bottom of the home straight.

The circumstances developed perfectly for Roger Varian’s colt who was strong at the finish when winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and proved to be so again, pulling two lengths clear of his field inside the distance.

The closing sectional of 36.97secs was the slowest of the day with the final furlong of 13.21secs particularly slow when compared to both Coltrane (106+) in the Doncaster Cup and Going Gone (111) in the Mallard Handicap over the same distance. The relevant data for Coltrane and Going Gone was 12.81secs and 12.55secs respectively.

New London (120) was not beaten for lack of stamina at the trip, although I would not be sure the soft ground was ideal for his chance.

The Godolphin colt was beaten on similar ground at Chester before delivering two impressive performances on fast ground. Expect him to bounce back when encountering his preferred conditions.

Coltrane won a slowly run Doncaster Cup with his closing sectional of 36.20secs proving just quick enough to deny the late thrust of Trueshan (106+), who was below his best on this occasion with trainer Alan King suggesting his gelding was still thinking of the fast ground at Goodwood and wouldn’t let himself down properly.

The Mallard Handicap is worth closer examination with a view to finding future winners as the time figure was only second best to the St Leger on the day. I would nominate the winner and Inchicore (107+) as the most likely to reward support in the future.

Flying Childers duo worth noting

KINROSS (118) landed the odds in comfortable fashion in the Group 2 Park Stakes, appreciating the underfoot conditions. He will no doubt head to the Prix de la Foret next and another clash with Pearls Galore.

The son of Kingman posted a closing sectional of 34.97secs despite Frankie Dettori not having to ask for maximum effort and, although beaten in the French Group 1 last autumn, his rider was confident of a bolder showing this time round.

The fastest closing sectional on the straight track came in the Group 2 Flying Childers as Trillium (116+) and The Platinum Queen (116) contested the best finish of the day.

There was nothing to split the pair on the clock at Goodwood and so it proved again here with Trillium prevailing by just a short head, courtesy of a strong final furlong of 12.19secs. In comparison, Richard Fahey’s filly clocked 12.33secs which would have been enough to match Champagne Stakes winner Chaldean (102) who covered the ground in the same time.

To add further credibility to the finishing effort posted by Richard Hannon’s filly, she stopped the clock for the final three furlongs at 34.17secs, 0.80secs quicker than Kinross and this was all achieved despite her looking like ‘next year’s filly’ from a physical aspect.

Trillium looks destined for a step up in trip to six furlongs for the Cheveley Park Stakes which looks sure to suit while The Platinum Queen may tackle her elders again in the Prix de l’Abbaye.

Eyecatchers

Maristella (93+), Galway, Tuesday 6th September – impressive on her handicap debut recording the fastest time on the card with closing sectionals to match.

Romantic Rival (101), Doncaster, Wednesday 7th September – travelled strongly before delivering a faster closing sectional than race winner Bounce The Blues.

New Kingdom (103+), Doncaster, Thursday 8th September – clocked the fastest closing sectional of the day to win a very competitive handicap.