War Decree battles back
Boynton had previously defeated War Decree at Newmarket but having to give 3lb too his rival this time was too much and he could only manage third behind Aidan O'Brien's colt
WAR DECREE strengthened Aidan O'Brien's already-powerful squad of potential Classic contenders for next season as he got back on the winning trail with an authoritative display in the Qatar Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
The American-bred colt looked the part on his Leopardstown debut at the start of June, but was beaten by the Godolphin-owned Boynton when a short-priced favourite for Newmarket's Superlative Stakes and the pair did battle once more on the Sussex Downs.
War Decree was the 6-4 favourite to gain his revenge at Group Two level and was always travelling powerfully in behind the pacesetters under Ryan Moore.
Once angled wide, it took War Decree a little while to hit top gear, but the further he went the better he looked and he was well on top at the finish.
Godolphin's apparent second-string Thunder Snow was a length and three-quarters away in second, with Boynton only third on this occasion.
Moore said: "Like all of Aidan's two-year-olds he's improved a great deal from Newmarket and with every run he's progressed.
"He's a very well-balanced horse and a very good mover.
"He's a nice type and he was still green when he got to the front. I'd say he'll improve again.
"I felt we could (reverse the form with Boynton), getting 3lb and just inexperience cost him the last day."
Kevin Buckley, the UK representative for Coolmore, said: "Ryan was very complimentary. He's definitely improving and has come on a lot since the Superlative.
"He's still learning and he's still a bit on the green side, but he did that really well."
War Decree was quoted as big as 20-1 for next year's 2000 Guineas and Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said: "I think that's a fair price. We'll see how he winters, but he's improving all the time and he learnt a lot from his last run.
"He settled very well and loved that ground - he really bounced off it."
Asked about future targets, Smith added: "It's open, but maybe races like the Champagne Stakes and the National Stakes, those races are open to him.
"If he gets his ground he'll be competitive.
"I think the ground is important. As we've seen with War Fronts, it's important they get good ground.
"I thought he'd be competitive, he had the weight pull today and the signs were good at home."
Thunder Snow's trainer Saeed bin Suroor was delighted with the performance of the runner-up.
He said: "He ran really well and we'll maybe look at the Solario Stakes at Sandown with him, as that stiff seven furlongs should suit the horse.
"He tries really hard. I think he was beaten by a better horse today.
"He's a horse that is improving and he will be one for a mile next year."
Trainer Charlie Appleby said of Boynton: "He's crying out for a mile and those will be the options we start looking at now.
"The first thing we'll do is get him home and see how he comes out of the race.
"The horse has not run badly. He was carrying a penalty against the winner, who is a nice horse."
