Expert Analysis

A pretty strong field for this Irish Champions Stakes, which is often one of the best races of the year globally, and it did not disappoint as a spectacle, with the majority giving their running, or very nearly so. It was run in the fastest overall time since Snow Fairy in 2012 and in the fifth-fastest official time this century, that a reflection of quite quick conditions, but also of a good pace, Luxembourg a couple of lengths quicker than par for much of the race but some others (notably the third) a bit too far out of their ground with the field strung out by mid race. Auguste Rodin was never far from where he needed to be under a very well-judged ride, recording a 99.9% final 2f finishing speed that is only a little slower than par.

AUGUSTE RODIN (121+1 here, 120 previously) may just have 2 ways of running – it’s difficult to believe that a soft surface was the problem at Ascot or Newmarket given how well he won heavy ground at 2 years – but when he is good he is very good indeed, and he delivered just about his best effort yet under a copybook ride, tracking the good pace and travelling comfortably, going second over 2f out with a couple of major rivals a bit further back, ridden to lead approaching the final 1f and possibly idling as he was ridden out to the line. 10f/12f is probably much the same to him, at least if the longer trip is not a slog, and there are only a few middle-distance horses better than him on his day.

LUXEMBOURG (120+1 here, 121 previously) was back to the form he showed when winning this 12 months before, helped by the return to what is probably his ideal trip, setting a good pace (slightly ahead of par for much of the contest) until ridden and headed approaching the final 1f, rallying thereafter in splendid style. He is not quite out of the very top drawer, but he has another Group 1 in him when conditions are right and the even bigger guns are not around.

NASHWA (117+ here, 120 previously) gave the impression she should have won, ending up just a bit too much out of her ground after being steadied into rear early, shaken up and making headway over 3f out, then running on strongly out wide to be nearest in positional terms at the finish. Things have not always panned out for her this season but she has enhanced her reputation and could have another good race in her.

KING OF STEEL (119 here and previously) ran as well at this trip as he had at 12f but gave the impression he might have got closer set a bit less to do (while not shaping as well as Nashwa in that respect). He was early to post and last to load, held up but soon several lengths back, getting to a couple of lengths down on the eventual winner turning in then keeping on rather than quickening. He is marginally inferior to the 3 who beat him on the balance of their form, so his rider getting the sack after this effort seems rather harsh.

ALFLAILA (114+ here, 119 previously) shaped better than the result, held up after a slow start and quite some way off the pace, driven soon after halfway but managing to make some late gains despite edging left, and not so very far below form in the end.

POINT LONSDALE (113 here and previously) ran well in this elevated company, close up and disputing the lead at times before losing second turning in, to his credit not dropping away entirely, suggesting he is back in good heart.

ONESTO (107+ here, 120 previously) was easy to back and rather disappointing on the day, this perhaps a bit of a rush after his seasonal reappearance less than a month before, while it should also be pointed out that his best efforts have been on ground less firm than this. He travelled OK in mid-field though several lengths back, made brief headway then was one paced and short of room, not knocked about when held. It is probably best forgiving him this.

SPREWELL (103 here, 109 previously) was not altogether discredited in last in this elevated company but was driven along from halfway and essentially outclassed.