INSPIRAL became the latest high-class filly to struggle in following up a top-class performance as she found Prosperous Voyage too strong through the final furlong of the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Any thoughts of the pace not being sufficient for Inspiral (108) to be seen at her best were unfounded as jockey of the moment Rob Hornby set an even pace aboard Prosperous Voyage (110).

As the field passed the two-furlong marker, all seemed to be going to script as Frankie Dettori asked the impressive Coronation Stakes winner to take control of the race, which initially she did, heading the long-time leader courtesy of successive sub-11sec furlongs.

However, through the final two furlongs the daughter of Frankel slowed considerably with the final furlong of 13.29s the most pronounced. The winner, Prosperous Voyage, covered the same ground in in 12.98s and was also slower than her preceding two furlongs as she posted 34.86s for her three-furlong sectional. The Zoffany filly was the slowest of the winners on the day.

Ralph Beckett’s winner looks a candidate for stepping up in trip while the Cheveley Park Stud-owned runner-up looks likely for a short break as team Gosden look to find the key to their star filly recapturing her best form. The anticipation of a clash with Homeless Songs in the Matron Stakes remains a possibility.

New London back on track

THE most impressive performance of Newmarket on Friday was New London’s (114+) success in the heritage handicap over 10 furlongs as the St Leger aspirant looked back to the form which saw him win so impressively at the Craven Meeting.

The punters who supported the son of Dubawi into favouritism would have been confident throughout as William Buick secured a passage from the rail passing the three-furlong marker to surge clear of his field. A closing sectional of 34.61s was achieved with any amount in hand and success at a much higher level looks well within his compass.

The eyecatcher from the pack was Phantom Flight (110+) who closed off in 34.64s, confirming his run to be better than the distance he was beaten.

Enquiry

Mawj (98+) survived a stewards enquiry after drifting into Lezoo (98+) in the closing stages of the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes. However, having controlled the race from the front the Godolphin filly looked the winner on merit, extending again when straightened by jockey Ray Dawson.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel clocked a closing three-furlong sectional of 34.04s, which was only bettered by Celsius who recorded a split of 33.84s when winning the closing five-furlong sprint.

Lezoo finished off slightly faster, posting 33.88s for her closing sectional and has the potential to add a group success to her recent listed victory.

The victory of Celsius (100) was his fourth from seven starts when returning to the track following a two-month absence, and Dusky Lord (96+) caught the eye with his finishing effort having transferred to the stands’ side group late in the race.

Nizaaka (102) continued the fine form of Jane Chapple-Hyam with a victory in the seven-furlong handicap. A closing effort of 34.17s saw the filly coming home by a length and a quarter over Bullace (100) and Mums Tipple (100) who are still victims of being poorly handicapped.

La Maquina (97+) finished his race off in 33.85s and will be spot on for his next assignment after returning from a 316-day absence.

Epictetus (94+) led home five promising two-year-olds in the opening maiden and while the time was the slowest of the day, John & Thady Gosden’s colt posted a closing sectional of 34.06s to showcase his potential.

Yibir will be big threat at Saratoga

YIBIR (114+) demonstrated his liking for the July course once more with victory in Thursday’s marquee race, the Group 2 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

The renowned globetrotter is set to head off on his travels again with his next mission, a Grade 1 at Saratoga. The son of Dubawi posted the strongest time-figure of the day despite his closing sectional of 35.77s being the slowest of the winners.

Staying closer to home, Global Storm (100) hinted at better things to come when stepped up in trip again, especially if ridden in a similar manner.

The Ebor, in which he finished 10th last year, could enter calculations.

Persian Force (100+) did not have to be at his best to regain the winning thread in the Group 2 July Stakes.

Rossa Ryan kept race leader Show Respect (96) in his sights once he navigated a path to the rail; the result was never in doubt. The son of Mehmas sealed the race with adjoining furlongs of 10.64 and 10.83s as part of his 33.38s three-furlong sectional, emulating his sire who was also runner-up in the Coventry before winning the July Stakes.

I would be most interested in Richard Hannon’s colt if he takes up his option in the Gimcrack Stakes at York, where his ability to travel at speed close to the pace and quicken will suit the demands of six furlongs on the Knavesmire.

Exceptionally strong

In contrast to the two-year-old contest, the six-furlong handicap was exceptionally strongly run as pace setter Lethal Levi (106+) led his opponents a merry dance on the way a length-and-a-half victory.

In the circumstances a closing sectional of 34.65s was commendable though necessary as the next five home all posted a faster finishing effort.

Admiral D (103+) was closest at the line, stopping the clock at 34.12s for his sectional, having started his run from the rear of the main group. Embarking on just his third start for Richard Fahey, the former Irish-trained gelding looks a likely candidate for a seven-furlong handicap at York.

The mile contests produced a similar analysis, as Noble Dynasty (104+) recorded a faster overall time than listed race winner Mighty Ulysses (103), who edged the sectional comparison.

However, the ease with which Noble Dynasty won suggests he could have improved on his sectional of 34.82s which included a final furlong of 12.26s. Mighty Ulysses covered the same ground in 34.79s and 12.74s respectively.

The Godolphin four-year-old undoubtedly has claims at listed or pattern class level so his entries in the International Stakes heritage handicap at Ascot and Golden Mile at Goodwood are intriguing.