Expert Analysis

A race with a long and storied history, the pinnacle of staying races in this part of the world, and this year’s edition was stronger than usual, Stradivarius going for a record-equalling fourth consecutive success but faced by several very smart rivals, even after the withdrawal of Trueshan due to the ground (still quicker than good at this stage), and ultimately coming up short. In his place, Subjectivist put up one of the better Gold Cup-winning performances in recent years, and in a good overall time, the pace ebbing and flowing somewhat but strong early and only just quicker than par late on (103.2% finishing speed) after a slightly soft middle.       

SUBJECTIVIST (122 here, 118 previously) had threatened a performance like this with his wins at Longchamp and Meydan, but this was still a level higher than previously and one of the best Gold Cup performances in recent years, backed up by a good timefigure, and he will be difficult to depose in this division, even by a back-to-form Stradivarius. He was always close up, getting something of a breather mid-race, then forged to the front over 3f out and was soon a few lengths clear, staying on strongly right to the line. Any ground from good to firm through to heavy comes alike to him.

PRINCESS ZOE (113 here and previously) ran a belter, equal in merit to her Cadran win last year on vastly contrasting ground, slowly away and set a bit to do, briefly running into traffic 3f out just as the winner burst clear, but responding well to get into second 1f later then unable to make much impression. She thrived on her racing last year and looks set for a successful second half of this one.

SPANISH MISSION (116 here and previously) all but replicated the form of his Yorkshire Cup win and should probably have finished a bit closer, travelling well held up but briefly stuck in traffic on the home turn and having to come wide, staying on but making up only about a length on the winner when in the clear.

STRADIVARIUS (114 here, 121 previously) failed to complete the four-timer and clearly was not quite at the level of 12 months before (now rated on the balance of his form), held up and in common with the placed horses short of room on the home turn, left with several lengths to make up but tending to edge right/carry his head to one side and beginning to fade late on. Good enough and fast enough to finish second to a Derby winner in a slowly run Prix Foy at 12f, another try at a shorter trip seems worth it at some stage.  

EMPEROR OF THE SUN (104 here, 112 previously) might have been slightly flattered by the bare form of his listed win at Leopardstown the time before, those he beat probably not at their very best, but was disappointing even so, set plenty to do and never getting into it.

NAYEF ROAD (104 here, 115 previously) has not been at his very best for a while now, but this was somewhat more encouraging, tracking the pace and briefly disputing second early in the home straight, only for his stamina to give out.

SANTIAGO (100 here, 114 previously) probably failed to stay, a shade free and never better than mid-division.

SERPENTINE (95 here, 114 previously) failed to stay without shaping especially well, making brief headway on the home turn.

TWILIGHT PAYMENT (92 here, 115 previously) ran a lot better than the result and probably remains in form, 20f proving too far for him, going second 3f out before hitting the wall. 14f/16f is ideal for him, winner of the Melbourne Cup at the latter trip, of course.

RIP VAN LIPS (74 here, 106 previously) had won a weak Group 2 in Germany the time before and might not have stayed.

AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (67 here, 104 previously) failed to get home ridden from the front.

BEN LILLY (0 here, 92 previously)