Ken Pitterson's July Festival paddock notes and analysis

The Boodles July Festival is one of the highlights of the summer, and one of the top performers on day one was Nostrum, with this one-time Classic contender making a belated start to his three-year-old career in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute believed he had left a little bit to work on beforehand, but the son of Kingman produced a mighty performance from the front to win in a very quick time.

A clash with Paddington in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 2 could be his next assignment.

Embesto, who looks a nice progressive type, ran a personal best to finish second behind Nostrum, and even though he was no match for the winner, I liked the way he tried to quicken to make his challenge at the two-furlong marker. Hopefully there is a decent race to be won with him this season, and he’s one to add to your Racing TV Tracker.

Mostabshir is a grand looking grey who was taking a step back in grade in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes having contested the St James’s Palace Stakes on his previous outing, but he was quite disappointing. Maybe he could do with a rest to freshen up for an Autumn campaign.

Dubawi colt Imperial Emperor, who won his first two starts, did not look out of place in this race as he strutted around the parade ring beforehand, but I believed he had a lot to find on form, and I think, overall, he ran a commendable race to finish fifth, despite being beaten nine lengths.

Having won on Nostrum, Ryan Moore endured a far from perfect passage aboard Tower Of London in the Bahrain Trophy. This son of Galileo took a good hold throughout the Group Three contest and, entering the final two furlongs, Moore dropped his whip as he was searching for room.

To Tower Of London’s credit, when he switched to the rails, he did remarkably well to only lose by a head. I think with a clearer passage, annd if Moore hadn’t dropped his whip, he would have won.

The lightly-raced Castle Way produced a cracking effort to score, considering this was only his second start of the season. Based upon the way he performed here, he could develop into a serious St Leger contender. Saint George, who finished third, is a big scopey type but is unfortunately off to race in Australia.

The Group Two Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes for two-year-olds was competitive on paper, but I did not find any juveniles that I thought were progressive. Full marks to the Clive Cox-trained Jasour for coming out on top.

The Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, the first Group One of the meeting, went to Nashwa, and this big, imposing daughter of Frankel looked well, but appeared to have performed below-par on her first two starts this season. However, she put matters straight with a dominant display over a mile here and destroyed her rivals by five lengths. Next stop is the Qatar Nassau Stakes, which she won last year.

Remarquee looked fit and well beforehand plus stayed calm throughout the preliminaries. She came through with a strong challenge a furlong out, but simply could not live with Nashwa’s turn of foot in the closing stages. I wonder if she would appreciate dropping back a furlong.

Via Sistina looked tremendous after her win in Ireland, but dropping back two furlongs, as well as a quick turnaround, seemed to work against her.

Other fillies that looked well were Coppice and Never Ending Story.

The Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes for colts over seven furlongs has a rich history, but having viewed all the runners in the paddock, I am not sure this race had a lot of strength in depth. That said, the front two could be quite decent going forward.

Arabic Legend, who failed to load into the stalls on his intended debut in June, is a good-bodied colt who looked fit and well for his second start.

He travelled sweetly on the stands’ side and when hitting the rising ground, he quickened up before running green and drifting towards the centre of the track. I am sure there is more to come from Andrew Balding’s charge this season.

The big, lengthy Emperor’s Star filled the eye pre-race, but his inexperience took hold during the race, and it was not until he hit the rising ground that he finally got his feet organised, which saw him run on strongly towards the finish.

Other two-year-old’s I liked the look of were The Ice Phoenix who has size, but needed the outing, and Swift Victory is a solid type who didn't appear to enjoy the ground conditions.

We witnessed an outstanding performance from Shaquille in the feature race of the meeting. This three-year-old looked in great nick as he was taken down to post early and although he was slowly away again, which normally causes a horse problems, it just urged him on, and he made a big move to race in second early on.

The extraordinary thing is that he found for pressure, which resulted in him pulling away from the rest of the field.

Given the speed he showed here, I would have no problems with him dropping back to five furlongs for the Nunthorpe at York, but connections seem to want to remain at this distance.

Run To Freedom produced a career-best performance to fill the runner-up spot, while Kinross looked good, but I do not think six furlongs on this track plays to his strengths.

Azure Blue looked great, but may not have fired on this occasion, and is worth another chance given her rate of progress going into this contest.

Little Big Bear looked the part, although his injury scare earlier in the week clearly took its toll.

The most striking performance from a juvenile this season was City Of Troy’s victory in the bet365 Superlative Stakes.

Having witnessed this colt by Justify make his debut a fortnight ago, it looked as though he had taken a big step forward as he produced a performance out of the top drawer.

I like the way he quickened and stretched clear to hit the line strong, and it will take a very decent two-year-old to lower his colours for the remainder of the season.

Haatem looked great beforehand and stepped forward to run an honest race in third. Even though he was no match for the winner, this was a significant step up on his previous efforts.

Odyssey stepped up to run well in second, and he may need his confidence boosted by winning a race soon.

The unbeaten Great Truth looked the part beforehand, but I am not sure the ground played to his strengths.

Godolphin unleashed a decent filly in the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes in the shape of Race The Wind.

This daughter of Too Darn Hot dominated the paddock and even though I am not sure she was totally in love with the ground, I adored the way she was able to come out on top.

Her trainer, Charlie Appleby, has hinted he will take his time with her, which I am sure will pay dividends in the long run.

Get Jiggy With It is a tall, leggy type who stepped up to run well considering she still looked inexperienced in the closing stages.

Other fillies I liked for the future were Bernese, who has some size and scope, and also Makuri.