Tom Marquand executed a customary front-running ride aboard Quickthorn to win the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.
Trained by Hughie Morrison, Marquand had adopted very similar tactics last season in the Lonsdale Cup at York when beating the reopposing Coltrane by 14 lengths.
Quickthorn had failed to quite match that level of performance since, but did return to winning ways last time out back at York in a Listed race and the form was subsequently franked when the second, Israr, won a Group Two next time out.
Marquand stole a few lengths early and then once again on the brow of the hill, when the field might expect to start making ground, but the jockey ensured there was no let up in the pace.
At one stage he was around 20 lengths clear but Oisin Murphy on Coltrane, who was leading the pack, seemed content in where he was with half a mile to go.
The riders of Eldar Eldarov, Giavellotto, Emily Dickinson and Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami all suddenly realised Quickthorn was not stopping, but the victor had a decisive lead.
Quickthorn won by six lengths from Emily Dickinson, who prevailed in a photo for second with Coltrane, with Eldar Eldarov a further short head back in fourth.
What a performance! 🤯
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) August 1, 2023
🏇 Quickthorn storms to victory in a thrilling conclusion to the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes for Tom Marquand and Hughie Morrison 👏@Summerdown1997 @Q_REC pic.twitter.com/joVaTR39Nh
"I was quite excited going up the hill, we saw what he did last year," said Morrison. "I've always felt he needed a bit of juice in the ground, his autumn flops in the last couple of years are when he’s just gone over the top.
"As you can see, he just puts so much into it that he probably deserves to go over the top some time between now and September."
Kinross (10-11F) gained a second success in the World Pool Lennox Stakes under Frankie Dettori.
It was a case of experience prevailing over youth as the six-year-old Kinross pulled clear with the three-year-old Isaac Shelby.
Having won the race in 2021 and finished second 12 months ago, seven furlongs with cut in the ground are the ideal conditions for Ralph Beckett’s charge.
When the split came up the inside, Dettori took advantage as Audience weakened but Isaac Shelby still looked a danger. However, the winner went on to prevail by a neck at the line.
Haatem (9-4F) held off the late lunge of Iberian to win the Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes.
Second to 2000 Guineas favourite City Of Troy in the Superlative Stakes last time out, albeit beaten six and a half lengths, Haatem was finally enjoying his moment in the sun after several respectable efforts this season.
Sean Levey rode him with confidence and was never too far from the pace, but the same could not be said of Charlie Hills' Iberian, who was slowly away.
That left William Buick with no choice but to drop in at the rear and when push came to shove, that allowed Haatemto get first run.
Haatem quickened up stylishly away from Witness Stand and Golden Mind, and while Aidan O'Brien’s Mountain Bear briefly looked a threat, it was Iberian who threw down the last challenge.
He could never quite get on terms, however, and went down by a length.
