Khalidi showed willingness and a touch of quality to win the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
1605 Newmarket result
1st Khalidi 7/2
2nd Salouen 5/2 favourite
Race Report
Khalidi showed willingness and a touch of quality to win the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
The High Chaparral colt, trained by John Gosden, was beaten in a Doncaster handicap upon his return to action a fortnight ago, but has seemingly made impressive progress since that run in Yorkshire.
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 won this nine-furlong Listed race with the great Golden Horn in 2015.
Click here to watch free video replay of the Feilden Stakes
Reaction
John Gosden: "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. 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. I think we can have a look at Chester (Vase) and be bold."
Frankie Dettori: "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!"