Regal Parade

Regal Parade ran a fine race in the circumstances, to finish a close fourth to Goldikova in the Prix De La Foret over seven furlongs on Arc day at Longchamp. Dandy Nicholls’s horse always travelled well up with the pace for most of the way and he was excellently positioned as they turned onto the straight. He picked up really well to take the lead, but it was a strange move by his jockey Adrian Nicholls to send him to the front fully two furlongs out, a horse who is probably at his best over six furlongs, as evidenced by the lack of reaction from Olivier Peslier on Goldikova when Regal Parade went past him. It was to Regal Parade’s immense credit that he was able to keep on as well as he did to finish fourth after he was headed by the favourite, and he was only beaten less than two lengths in the end.

The son of Pivotal is a horse who is continually underrated, but he will always be worth a second look in Group 1 races when there is cut in the ground. He already has two Group 1 wins to his name, both of which came on ground that had significant ease in it. He had his conditions here, but he surely committed for home far too soon. It was a really good effort in defeat and he will probably be put away for next year now, where he will be one to keep an eye on again in some of the big sprints and seven-furlong races when there is cut in the ground.

3rd October 2010