Khalidi boosts Dante form with emphatic Goodwood victory

Khalidi, who was no match for subsequent Dante scorer Permian at Newmarket last time, made amends in no uncertain fashion when he mowed down trailblazer Monarchs Glen in the final furlong to record a seamless victory for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.

The High Chaparral colt was held up early on but showed his class to come through and claim the Cocked Hat Stakes after Monarchs Glen, who was wearing cheekpieces for the first time, set the race alight by racing keenly and establishing a clear lead.

Monarchs Glen showed his quirkiness in the Classic Trial at Sandown last time, when he raced in a similar style before fading behind Cunco. The headgear appeared to accentuate his enthusiasm here, as he free-wheeled across the downs with Robert Tart.

The pursuers reached him at the furlong pole, but Khalidi had far too much class for the remainder and scooted clear under hands and heels for Dettori to win by five lengths. The pair won the Listed Fielden Stakes at the Craven meeting, but were no match for Permian in the Newmarket Stakes last time.

Track record broken

Frankie Dettori said: "I think we ran him a bit too quick last time, he may have bounced. But it was a good performance, he's an honest fellow and he broke the track record. Now it will be the King Edward VII I think."

He added: "It all ties up with the Dante winner and the form is solid. I think he had a day off at Newmarket last time and the winner is talented. He was never travelling that day and made hard work of it."

"I was worried [about the big lead] because Monarchs Glen has a lot of talent. If you give him too much rope he will go. I decided to make the move because no-one else was going. Then I knew at the furlong marker that he was drunk. Khalidi is completely laid back so I knew he would be fine at the end."

No doubt Gosden will be smiling as his Derby hope and favourite Cracksman beat Permian at Epsom on his last start.

Of the Derby, Dettori said: "You could pick from ten. It’s whoever stays and whoever gets the best run, because on ratings they’re much of a muchness."

Fierce Impact, who also came from the rear, finished in second, with Raheen House, who was set off favourite here after splitting Gosden's fillies Shutter Speed and Enable at Newbury last time, in third.

Cocked Hat result