Ratings Update: City of Troy shows his class

Tony McFadden provides the Timeform ratings reaction from Newmarket's July meeting, where City of Troy produced a stunning performance.

The Superlative Stakes has some high-profile names on its roll of honour, including the likes of Dubawi, Olympic Glory and Native Trail, but no horse has put up a better performance in the race than City of Troy (119p from 102P) who shot to the head of the 2000 Guineas betting with a hugely impressive six-and-half-length success.

City of Troy had looked like an exciting prospect when making a winning start at the Curragh last month for Aidan O'Brien, and he built significantly on that promise to post the best performance by a two-year-old this season.

Timeform's reporter noted that he "looked a two-year-old right out of the top drawer" at Newmarket and that he is "promising great things" after running to such a high level on only his second start. For context, since 2010 only six juveniles have earned a higher Timeform performance rating than City of Troy on their second start.

To further underline what a significant rating City of Troy achieved at Newmarket, it's worth noting that he is already close to the level typically required to be crowned champion juvenile - the median rating of Timeform's top two-year-old across the last ten years is 123.

There was also a significant juvenile performance at Chantilly at the weekend as Ramatuelle (111p from 109) confirmed her status as France's highest-rated two-year-old, and the highest-rated filly in Europe, with a commanding four-length success in the Prix Robert Papin.

The only juvenile rated higher than Ramatuelle is City of Troy - Coventry winner River Tiber is also rated 111p - and she has run to a level that, particularly with her sex allowance taken into account, suggests she will take plenty of beating in the Prix Morny.

Ramatuelle has improved since being beaten by Beauvatier (104p) in a conditions race at Saint-Cloud in May, though her exploits also reflect well on him and he's unbeaten after three starts having won a listed race at Deauville recently.

Sticking with the two-year-olds, Jasour (105p from 83p) showed much-improved form to run out a decisive winner of the July Stakes on the opening day of Newmarket's three-day meeting. He was taking a marked step up in class in that Group 2 event though he took it in his stride, coming through with a strong late run to score by a couple of lengths with a bit in hand. He will have the Richmond Stakes next on his agenda.

Jasour is trained by Clive Cox whose two-year-olds have really hit their stride of late and Cox also on target with Sky Warrior, How's The Guvnor and Symbology in the past week.

There was a shock result in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on Friday as Star of Mystery was overturned by Persian Dreamer (101 from 93), though the result probably owed more to the long odds-on favourite disappointing than the winner showing significant improvement on her Albany fourth.

Later on that card Arabic Legend (91p) created a good impression when winning a seven-furlong maiden that is often a race to note. He showed his inexperience on debut, running green and hanging to his right, but he asserted well inside the final half-furlong and scored with a bit in hand, looking like a nice prospect capable of going on to better things. The runner-up, Emperor's Star (87p), also shaped with plenty of encouragement despite being beaten at a short price and he too should come on for the experience.

In the July Cup, the feature race of the week, Shaquille (125+ from 123) extended his winning sequence with a performance that was around standard on the figures but remarkable to the eye.

Shaquille didn't miss the kick to the same extent as when winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, but he was still slowly away and then raced exuberantly and pulled his way to the front around halfway. That hardly seems the optimum way to race but Shaquille was able to maintain the gallop and fended off Run To Freedom to score by a length and a half, taking his overall tally to seven wins from eight starts.

His performance rating was in line with the median winning rating in the July Cup in the last ten years but there is clearly hope he can achieve a higher figure if channelling his energy more efficiently.

The other Group 1 of the meeting, the Falmouth Stakes, was won in impressive fashion by Nashwa (125 from 117) who proved far too strong for her rivals and put up one of the best performances in the race this century, with only Soviet Song's defeat of Attraction in 2004 rated higher, and marginally so at that.

Nashwa, a dual Group 1 winner as a three-year-old, had failed to meet expectations on her first couple of outings this term but she proved better than ever in the Falmouth, showing a potent turn of foot to pull five lengths clear on a rare start at a mile.

Nashwa won the Nassau Stakes last season and a defence of her crown is next on the agenda. She is set for a fascinating clash with Blue Rose Cen at Goodwood but, while that filly was impressive in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks, Nashwa holds the stronger claims on ratings.

Nostrum (118p from 112p) would also be entitled to take his chance in a Group 1, such as the Sussex Stakes, after posting a stylish victory in a listed race at Newmarket on his return to action. He was heavily backed shortly before the off, and after racing powerfully at the head of affairs he quickened three lengths clear to win with plenty in hand. Another miler worth his place back in Group 1 company is Master of The Seas (125 from 124) following his authoritative success in the Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday. Master of The Seas was suited by how that Group 2 developed, being held up off a strong gallop, but it was impressive how he powered four lengths clear, putting up one of the best performances in the race this century. A rating of 125 identifies him as a high-class performer and would have been good enough to at least reach a place in the last five editions of the Sussex Stakes. 

The Newmarket July meeting kicked off in traditional fashion with the Bahrain Trophy, but a steady pace followed by a three-furlong sprint and a close three-way finish means it could be rather muddling form. Castle Way (114p from 112p) got the verdict but was better positioned than the runner-up Tower of London (114p from 113p), who probably would have won had his rider not dropped his whip. Tower of London is a brother to St Leger winner Capri and will have more to offer when faced with a stiffer emphasis on stamina.

Also on the opening day, Israr (122 from 119) comfortably got the better of 2021 Derby winner Adayar (121 from 127) who had a lot in hand on his best form but failed to pick up when ridden and was quickly brushed aside, while Quinault (105 from 102+) completed a remarkable six-timer in the six-furlong heritage handicap.

Quinault started out in handicaps from a BHA mark of only 59 at Chelmsford in April but has climbed the ranks and defied a mark of 90 at Newmarket, showing a fantastic attitude to prevail by a nose after typically travelling strongly. The way he goes through his races suggests that he could still have more to offer.

There was Group 1 action in France last week as Longchamp staged the Grand Prix de Paris. It had looked liked a good opportunity for Soul Sister (117 from 119p) based on the form she had shown when winning the Oaks, but she was unable to replicate that sort of performance and finished third in a race won impressively by Feed The Flame (121p from 111p).

Feed The Flame was soon on the back foot after breaking awkwardly and he was still in last place turning in, but he picked up powerfully after being pulled out and made good headway down the outside to hit the front inside the final 50 yards. He seemed well suited by the step up to a mile and a half - he had run on without making a telling impact when fourth in the French Derby - and he should still have more to offer after only four starts.