Tactical Sparkles in a Testing Version of July Stakes

The battle of the Royal Ascot-winning juveniles was settled in style by the Queen's Windsor Castle victor Tactical, as the son of Toronado came home a decisive winner of the Tattersalls July Stakes (G2) in testing conditions.

Coventry Stakes (G2) second and 15-8 favorite Qaader dictated the fractions, with Yazaman and Tipperary maiden winner Swiss Ace in close attendance. Tactical was settled further behind under William Buick but produced a sparkling turn of foot when asked to quicken, eventually winning by 1 1/4 lengths. 

He confirmed the Windsor Castle form with the plucky Yazaman, who stayed on best to finish second. Escape Route built on his Pontefract debut win to be third at 33-1, while Qaader could not pick up and faded to finish fourth.

Trainer Andrew Balding, who said the winner was the fastest juvenile in his yard.

"We're thrilled with him, he's always looked like a good horse at home," he told Racing TV. "He won really well at Ascot and pleased us since, so it wasn't a huge surprise, but I just liked the way he did it. He's a very relaxed horse in his races, he really switched off and quickened when William wanted him to so he's a proper professional and I'm thrilled to have him in the yard."

Despite being entered in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1), the Darley Prix Morny (G1) over six furlongs at Deauville will be Tactical's next target, but Balding did not dismiss stepping up to seven furlongs later on in the season. 

"Now that we know he's capable on any type of going we're happy to travel and I think the Prix Morny is the right spot. It's a little bit easier for us to get to so that's where he'll go," he said. "The way he's finished off there I wouldn't take it off the table that he would stay seven, but we'll certainly stay at six for one more run."

Paddy Power make Tactical a 3-1 chance for what could be a compelling Prix Morny, a race in which he could face Queen Mary (G2) winner Campanelle and Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner The Lir Jet. 

The firm also cut him to 25-1 for the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1). His sire finished fourth in the race to Dawn Approach in 2013 before gaining revenge in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes (G1) later on in the season.