John Gosden wins another Feilden Stakes with Khalidi ridden by Frankie Dettor
Khalidi could only manage third on his reappearance at the start of the month but he showed significant improvement to land the Listed contest at Newmarket
JOHN GOSDEN landed another Feilden Stakes with Khalidi as he followed in the footsteps of 2015 winner and Golden Horn.
Khalidi showed willingness and a touch of quality to win for Gosden and connections having only made his seasonal reappearance, when he was beaten, just a fortnight ago.
Montataire steadily took the field along until the penultimate furlong when the front-runner went out like a light and 5-2 favourite Salouen took charge.
But the Frankie Dettori-ridden Khalidi (7-2) suddenly arrived with a powerful surge on the outside of the field, and as hard as Salouen tried, he could not claw back a neck deficit.
Law And Order was a never-nearer third.
Gosden said: "That was probably his Derby day, he ran very well at Doncaster on the opening day of the season, trying to give weight away to unexposed horses and he's only a little guy.
"We knew he'd love the ground today as it was a bit loose the last day.
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"I don't think it was a vintage Feilden, but it seemed like the right race to go for.
"He's a real genuine, sweet horse. I think we should step him up in trip and avoid soft ground.
"I'm all for going straight over a mile and a half now as he did take time to work into it.
"He's a genuine colt, but very diminutive."
He added: "I think we can have a look at Chester (Vase) and be bold."
Dettori said: "The first two or three furlongs I wasn't able to follow the pace but then he came into the race quite good at the business end.
"I gave him plenty of fresh air because he was getting a bit of kick-back and wasn't facing the opposition.
"The ground is key, good to firm is what he wants. I think he'll cope up in class. He's no Golden Horn, but he'll do his bit!"