Khalidi

Khalidi ran a cracker to finish second to Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

Settled just behind the leaders Glencadam Glory and Permian through the early stages of the race, John Gosden’s horse got shuffled back a little behind the leaders as they raced around the home turn, as horses made ground wide around him around the outside.  Rider Olivier Peslier had to sit and suffer on the run to the two-furlong pole as he waited for the gaps to appear, at which point he dropped back to fifth or sixth place.  He did get into the clear on the run to the furlong pole and, around three lengths behind the leader at that point, he picked up well and finished off his race really strongly, getting past Crystal Ocean for the runner-up spot and closing on Permian all the way to the line.

This was much more like it from Khalidi after a disappointing run in the Derby.  He never seemed comfortable on Epsom’s cambers, but he had run out an impressive winner of the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood eight days before the Derby, and this was another step forward from that. Always highly-regarded by his trainer, he should be able to step forward again now.  It is interesting that his trainer thought enough of him to give him an entry in the King George, but it may be that he will go down the St Leger route now, for a race that his trainer has won three times in the last 10 years.  The Gordon Stakes at Goodwood or the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York would be good targets for him now.

Ascot, 23^rd June 2017