Expert Analysis

A vintage Cadran, featuring two high-class stayers in Trueshan and Stradivarius as well as two very smart winners of the race previously, Call The Wind (not the force he once was) and Princess Zoe. The outcome was decisive under these conditions of a marathon trip and ground that was just about “soft” judged on times, identifying Trueshan as the best recent winner, and, with the possible exception of Subjectivist (who beat Stradivarius and Princess Zoe by similar cumulative margins in the Gold Cup at Ascot), the best stayer of the season. The pace was decent, with the final 600m of 38.00s translating to a finishing speed of 105.8%, two runners getting clear mid-race but reeled in in good time. Most came down the centre in the home straight, but the third stayed close to the far side, and it seemed to make little difference.

TRUESHAN (119 here, 118 previously) cemented his position as the best active stayer with an authoritative win, every bit as home at a marathon trip as he had been at around two miles previously, settling well enough in mid-field bar a brief pulling for his head going onto the final circuit, asked for his effort 600m out and leading soon after, wandering before drawing away in the final 200m. He should take a lot of beating in his bid for a repeat win in the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot given the strong likelihood of give in the ground there. 

STRADIVARIUS (115 here and previously) ran creditably judged on his recent efforts, if below what he was capable of little more than a year ago, prominent in the main group and leading briefly around 500m out, in there battling until seen off in the final 200m.

BUBBLE SMART (111 here, 109 previously) confirmed her improvement of the time before, and maybe a bit more besides, in second for a long way, sticking to the inner and responding well to have every chance until late in the piece. Stamina is her strong suit.

SKAZINO (112 here and previously) ran creditably with no excuses, held up in mid-field and staying on steadily when the chips were down.

PRINCESS ZOE (109 here, 114 previously) was a little disappointing with conditions to suit her (if not as gruelling as 12 months earlier, in mid-field and still going pretty well 600m out, one paced for pressure thereafter and unable to hold onto fourth near the end. She is very smart, rather than better, taken overall.

CALL THE WIND (109 here and previously) used to be a good deal better than this but ran about as well as could be expected on recent form, going in snatches towards the rear but briefly looking a threat over 600m out.

MAX LA FRIPOUILLE (108? here, 85 previously) appeared to excel, out of handicaps/minor races.

EMPEROR OF THE SUN (103 here, 114 previously) may be best at 14f/16f but shaped less than encouragingly even so. 

ALKUIN (98 here, 103 previously) made the running again but was unable to repeat his second of 12 months ago by a long way, headed and soon beaten 600m out.

MEMPHIS (93 here, 99 previously)

KARLSTAD (96 here, 107 previously)

STRATUM (94 here, ? previously)

CACOPHONOUS (66 here, ? previously)