GOODWOOD 14:45 6d446a

Non Runners: BLESS HIM (IRE), BEAT LE BON (FR). Race Distance Adjustment: +6 yds

Time: 1m 27.48s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.15s (103.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.6%

A strong renewal of one of the top 7f races in the British calendar and Space Blues produced one of the very best performances in the race this century, clearly inferior only to Iffraaj among the winners, and for all that it was a messy race in behind with space at a , there was none that could be called unlucky, even though the winner was the main cause of the interference, his rider receiving a 4-day suspension.

SPACE BLUES (IRE) is thriving this summer and completed the hat-trick in taking fashion, a real 7f specialist and likely to take all the beating in the top races at the trip, the Foret the obvious aim later in the year; held up, travelled well, quickened to lead over 1f out, went clear, well on top finish.

DUKE OF HAZZARD (FR) ran well, fully backing up his run at Ascot last time, clearly back in the form he showed last summer; in touch, short of room over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, took second well inside final 1f, ran on, no impression on winner; he goes well at this track, so a bit to repeat last year's win in the Celebration Mile will presumably be on the cards.

ESCOBAR (IRE) hadn't cut much ice in the Queen Anne, but, given a breathing operation, showed he can make an impact at pattern level, proving at least as good as ever; waited with, travelled well, challenged over 2f out, shaken up after, hampered entering final 1f, kept on.

SAFE VOYAGE (IRE) ran creditably, a bit better than the bare result, though no better than fourth on the day; tracked pace, ridden 3f out, effort when met some trouble over 1f out, switched after, kept on final 100 yds.

SIR DANCEALOT (IRE) had won the last 2 runnings of this race, but this was a stronger renewal and he couldn't land a blow, again racing a bit lazily, despite the return to his best trip, perhaps worth a try in headgear; held up, off the bridle before most, stayed on approaching final 1f, never on .

D'BAI (IRE) plenty to find with the winner on their running at Longchamp, ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade, this just a bit too competitive for him; held up, not settle fully, effort over 2f out, kept on approaching final 1f, made little impression.

MARIE'S DIAMOND (IRE) back down in trip, ran better than last time, though was again below the form he showed in the Queen Anne; led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened.

GRAIGNES (FR) after 5 months off (had a breathing operation), took a step forward from his stable debut, shaping better than the bare result, not getting a run until it was too late; slowly into stride, held up, not settle fully, had to wait for gap over 2f out, kept on inside final 1f, finished with running left.

GLORIOUS JOURNEY the one penalised runner, having landed a Grade 2 in the winter, was well held after 5 months off, perhaps needing the run; close up, not settle fully, shaken up over 2f out, beginning to weaken when snatched up entering final 1f, not recover.

PIERRE LAPIN (IRE) has a lot to prove at the moment, the step up to 7f turning into a horror show; reared leaving stalls, held up, pulled way into prominent position after 2f, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, not persevered with once held.

HISTORY WRITER (IRE) had a bit to find in this company and would probably have been quite well held, even without meeting trouble; in touch, shaken up over 3f out, beginning to lose his position when hampered over 1f out, no chance after.