Expert Analysis

The joint-smallest field in the long history of this race, and that despite the Turners at around two and a half miles being converted into a handicap in an aim to divert more horses to this shorter option or the longer one of what is now the Brown Advisory. It was, however, a pretty classy affair and a race of drastically changing fortunes in the closing stages, Majborough likely to have won but for 2 bad errors and Jango Baie coming from some lengths back to get up late on.

It was well-run, the winner’s final 4f of 56.00s a near-par 104.9% finishing speed, but his final 1f of 13.86s especially impressive and the fastest final split since electronic sectionals came in here.

JANGO BAIE (c157 here and previously) overcame the drop in trip, but only just, needing every yard in a well-run race to prevail, paying a compliment to Handstands (who had short-headed him at Sandown) in the process. He led early but had dropped to last soon after halfway, was outpaced in that position going to and immediately after 3 out but started to rally then really hit top stride from approaching the last, storming home to get up near the line.

He has some way still to go to match the best in open company at 16f to 20f, but it is likely that some of the old guard will depart the arena in coming months and he could still be open to improvement.

ONLY BY NIGHT (c149 here, 143 previously) ran her best race yet and nearly pulled it off, held up in last before improving after 3 out, leading narrowly for much of the run-in but swamped under pressure near the finish. She ran like a non-stayer on her only start at 20f and these sorts of conditions seem to suit her well.

MAJBOROUGH (c156+ here, 161 previously) “should” have won, but was let down by his jumping when it mattered, and that is a part of the examination of course. He led at the fifth, made a mistake 4 out then a far worse one at the second-last when shaken up and about to be challenged, losing the lead and momentum, was awkward at the last (went left soon after it) then rallied under pressure to dispute the lead briefly near the finish. He is probably the best of these but no longer benefits from the generous age allowance and will certainly need to polish up his technique if he is to rise further still.

L’EAU DU SUD (c155 here and previously) has been rock-solid this season and probably ran to form in meeting his first defeat over larger obstacles, tracking the pace travelling comfortably, about to challenge when left in the lead 2 out, headed after the last but in there battling until held near the finish. He looks like being best at this trip.

TOUCH ME NOT (c0 here, 150 previously) led for a while early and remained close up (despite jumping badly right at a couple) until quickly beaten after 3 out, seemingly not himself.