Expert Analysis

This is a Group 2 race for the stamina-laden types among the Classic generation, won in 2017 by the great stayer Stradivarius, although often requiring significantly less than that. This year’s renewal was run at a stop-start gallop as they went quick early, before slowing it down in the middle of the race and then quickened again up the straight. The winner, Limestone, was always prominent before finally getting to the long-time leader Ranga Tang inside the final 100 yards and getting the better of a photo finish with the more patiently ridden Del Maro.

LIMESTONE was in a good position given how the race played out, particularly when compared with the second and the fourth who came from a long way back. It seemed to take him an age to get to the keen Ranga Tang, but the sectionals show that rival quickened early in the straight. Limestone’s finishing speed percentage of 106.37% shows that he was quickening in the final three furlongs. He is improving with each start and could stay further in time.

DEL MARO can consider himself a little unlucky. He came from much further back (last but one) and produced some eye-catching late splits including a 12.01 second final furlong to only suffer defeat by a nose. He initially looked like he may have won and deserves to have his performance marked up. He didn’t have a perfectly clear run either.

RANGA TANG is another that shaped better than the result. He pulled his way to the front rounding the first bend and was keen for the first half of the race. While he got a breather in once he finally settled, it was still remarkable that he was able to lead well inside the final furlong before getting tired (understandably) close home. He must have a big engine if he can learn to channel his energy.

POINT OF LAW was last of all early on and also shaped well in defeat. He took the wide path rounding the home turn and ended up five wide, and even though it meant he got a clear run he did give away ground and was trying to close on horses that were quickening ahead of him.

RAVENSPIRE had a good position in second but didn’t find as much as seemed likely up the home straight having got to the leader’s quarters turning in. He was a little short of room in the closing stages when the long-time leader wandered as he got tired, but Ravenspire was tiring himself.

GALIYAN ran respectably coming from a maiden win but just found this a little too hot. No obvious excuse but just didn’t live up to the hype surrounding him prior to the race. Perhaps there is more to come, and the ground may have been a bit quick for him.

ASAKIR looks like a real galloper, and he was outpaced in the penultimate furlong before staying on again. Slower ground may also help him.

MAGNETUDE had it all to do on ratings and so it proved. Briefly short of room early in the straight, he posed no threat thereafter.

MR COLONEL raced in midfield after being slowly away but weakened out of it early in the straight.

WAREETHwas a little keen early on and didn’t get home on this step up in trip from ten furlongs, weakening badly up the home straight.

PORT OF SPAIN was one of the first horses beaten as he was passed on both sides early in the straight.