Kyle Of Lochalsh (5/1) turned the Coral Goodwood Handicap into a procession, with Hughie Morrison’s stayer spreadeagling the field to win by nine and a half lengths under Oisin Murphy.
Making a second appearance in the extended two-and-a-half-mile contest after finishing fourth in 2024, the five-year-old travelled in midfield of the 12 runners before making his move with three furlongs remaining.
Kyle Of Lochalsh disputed the lead with Bashful Boy at the two-furlong pole but quickly shrugged off the challenge and powered clear. The field was well strung out in behind, with Irish raider Mordor (5/1) taking second and Oxford Comma (16/1) third.
Morrison’s assistant Charlie Harris said: “Hughie trained the dam [Quiz Mistress] to win two Listed races. He has brought this horse on very well from his two-year-old career. He has handled him with a lot of care and it is coming to fruition now.
“It is a massive team effort. There have been a lot of careful decisions about the ground. It started at Sandown, where we took him out of the Esher Stakes with no rain forecast, then we took him to Newbury and pulled him out about 15 minutes before the first race.
“We were happy when the rain came. He needs to get his toe in, so the rain that came yesterday made us a bit more confident about a performance like this today.
“He is really filling into his frame now, so a move up to pattern company can suit him nicely. Something like the Cadran or even the Prix Royal-Oak later on. This is only his second run this season, so hopefully there is a bit of mileage left.”
Murphy said: “Kyle Of Lochalsh was never on the bridle – he was off it the whole way – but, when I grabbed hold of him and asked him for an effort, he really did stretch clear.
“He picked up whereas the others were slowing down. I couldn’t really comprehend why we didn’t all stay on the fresh ground on the far side but, as a result of them not staying there, it opened up like the Red Sea. I am delighted for Hughie and the owners are all here. This is a nice race to win.
“I think Ed Arkell has done a really accurate job of describing the ground as soft, maybe good to soft in places.”
Jamie Spencer said of Mordor: “I could have done without the rain. All his form is on good ground, and it is very holding. Being one of Gordon’s [Elliott], he is very fit and kept galloping.”
Oxford Comma’s trainer Ralph Beckett said: “She didn’t really handle the track, which is why she was off the bridle at the top of the hill, so am delighted with the run.’’
