Commissioned

Commissioned put up a really nice performance to win the Queen Alexandra Stakes, the finale on the final day of Royal Ascot 2016 on Saturday.

Settled in mid-division by Adam Kirby, but a little wider than ideal throughout, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding travelled well into the home straight behind a pace that had not been too strong. He came under pressure early in the home straight, and it looked like Cayirli was travelling better in front of him, but he found plenty for pressure, he powered home on the outside to catch Cayirli at the furlong pole before staying on strongly to come almost two lengths clear, with Cayirli finishing almost four lengths clear of Clondaw Warrior in third.

This was a really impressive win by Commissioned. He stays well, so the relatively sedate gallop would not have been in his favour, but his stamina came into play during the last stiff two-furlongs of this marathon. Winner of a handicap over a mile and six furlongs as a three-year-old when he was with Mark Johnston, he did well over hurdles for John Ferguson, finishing second in the Adonis Hurdle as a juvenile and winning three times.

This was his first run for Elliott, and, although he was relatively weak in the pre-race market, he was obviously fit enough. This was his first run since he finished down the field in the Coral Cup, however, so he could improve for it. He could also improve now for joining Elliott, both on the flat and over hurdles.

He is not a very big horse, but he settles well in his races and he stays well. The handicapper raised him 7lb to a mark of 104, but he won well and he could improve enough to take that type of hike in his stride. That was just his fourth run on the flat, so he has plenty of scope for progression on the level. He could improve enough to be a Goodwood Cup or a Doncaster Cup horse.

18^th June, 2016