GOODWOOD 15:35

All 8 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +10 yds

Time: 1m 39.89s Closing Sectional: (4f): 46s (108%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 100.2%

The older milers had already shown themselves to be much of a muchness this summer, so it was no real surprise that a pair of 3-y-o colts headed the market, though they came up short as well in a race that was always likely to be steadily run, given no obvious pace, the winner perfectly delivered, a few of his rivals less so, the result far from certain to be repeated in the Queen Elizabeth II for example, nothing in this for the connections of Alpha Centauri to fear.

LIGHTNING SPEAR had shown himself to be as good as ever at the age of 7 on his first 2 starts of the campaign, and had things fallen slightly better for him he might have been completing a Group 1 hat-trick, though a first win at this level was thoroughly deserved, possessing the best turn of foot in a tactical race, produced much later and therefore to better effect than he had been at Ascot; waited with, travelled well, shaken up 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yds, won readily; Alpha Centauri apart, there is clearly little between an ordinary bunch of top milers and there's no reason why he won't continue to give a good account.

EXPERT EYE who not unusually sweated up beforehand, confirmed the form shown in the Jersey, back up in trip, this a very different race tactically and perhaps one that didn't suit him so well, creditably though he performed; close up, took keen hold, shaken up 3f out, led 2f out, headed final 100 yds, kept on, left behind by winner; he's in the Hungerford Stakes and the Celebration Mile, either a suitable option and likely to be within his capabilities.

LORD GLITTERS (FR) ran another really good race, even though he was in a poor position and surely would have been better served by a truer pace; held up, not settle fully, still plenty to do over 1f out and forced to switch around majority of field soon after, kept on well final 100 yds, took third post; the City of York Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, races likely to be run much more in his favour, could well be suitable targets for the rest of the campaign.

GUSTAV KLIMT (IRE) was contesting his fifth Group 1 in a row and acquitted himself well, just lacking the turn of foot needed at the end of a steadily-run affair; held up, effort over 2f out, challenged 1f out, stayed on; his dam's progeny, including several others by Galileo, have mainly raced at up to 1m, but he'd be worth a try over further, the International and Irish Champion among his entries.

BEAT THE BANK ran another solid race, perhaps the run of the race not so good for him as it was for others, but essentially needing no excuses, his merit well established by now; close up, shaken up 3f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken final 100 yds.

SO BELOVED in first-time eyeshields, ran better than he had the previous day, not far off his best, though he'd surely have been beaten further in a truly-run race, not really up to this grade; waited with, took keen hold, effort 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, weakened final 100 yds.

WITHOUT PAROLE who sweated up beforehand, lost his unbeaten record, clearly not himself, the circumstances very different from his previous races, nothing to give him a lead and bring his strong finish into play, unsuited by making his own running; led, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final 1f, hung left; hopefully this will prove to be just a blip.

ORBAAN was flying too high in this grade at this stage of his development, not well positioned and not knowing enough; raced well off the pace, effort 3f out, not quicken, looked unbalanced and no extra final 1f; has plenty about him physically and remains with potential.