ASCOT 16:20 4n2t2w

Non Runners: TRUESHAN (FR), TASHKHAN (IRE).

Time: 4m 20.97s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.95s (103.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 99.9%

An open-looking Gold Cup beforehand, with quite a few unknowns, only 2 of the field - the second and third - proven at the trip, the withdrawal of Tashkhan meaning that not one of last year's field took part, the most notable absentee the 2022 winner Kyprios, sidelined until at least the second half of the campaign, though the line-up did feature the 2021 winner Subjectivist; it was the last-named that set the pace, allowed plenty of rope and pressing on for home 4f out, the runner-up well positioned when the tempo lifted, unlike the winner, who produced a remarkable performance for one with such limited experience, coming from almost the back of the field, which made his effort all the more impressive.

COURAGE MON AMI produced a remarkable performance for one so inexperienced, going from very promising handicapper to potentially top stayer in one giant stride, impressing with the way he picked up when the gap came and the stamina he showed to prevail, rare for one in this division to reach such an exalted level so early in his career, his future a really exciting one; held up, travelled well, had to wait for gap 4f out, rapid headway early in straight, led 1f out, kept on well, asserted final 50 yds, had bit in hand; already high class, and has the potential to be one of the very best stayers of recent years.

COLTRANE (IRE) has become a very reliable top-level stayer since winning the Ascot Stakes at this meeting in 2022, and turned in an effort as good as any he's produced, clear of the rest but just outpointed by a totally unexposed rival; in touch, travelled well, tracked pace entering straight, led under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on well, beaten final 50 yds; he seems sure to continue to give a good .

SUBJECTIVIST doesn't appear quite the force he was when winning this race in 2021, but he ran his best race of the year after a 3-month break in a bid for a second Gold Cup, showing a willing attitude once the first 2 went past; led, travelled well, kicked on 4f out, headed 3f out, every chance still straight, not quicken over 1f out, stuck to task.

EMILY DICKINSON (IRE) upped in trip, wasted no time getting back to form, her run last time just one of those things, this effort on a par with her reappearance win, showing herself fully effective on going firmer than good; handy, shaken up entering straight, challenged 2f out, not quicken, kept on final 1f.

NATE THE GREAT hadn't previously convinced over extreme distances (twice beaten in the Queen Alexandra), but he saw the distance out this time, running as well as he ever has, despite meeting some trouble in the straight, his young rider unable to claim but getting a good tune out of him; waited with, short of room over 3f out, effort entering straight, hampered soon after, hampered again 2f out, hung right, kept on final 1f.

YIBIR upped markedly in trip, was below form, not obviously beaten by lack of stamina, just not at the top of his game for a stable having a low-key week; in rear, shaken up entering straight, laboured headway approaching final 1f, never on .

ELDAR ELDAROV easy to back, despite looking to hold form claims as strong as any, also expected to be fully effective over the extra 4f, and wasn't at his best, not having the ideal age but still rather disappointing with his failure to pick up in the straight; held up, shaken up over 3f out, out wide home turn, outpaced early in straight, plugged on final 1f.

ECHOES IN RAIN (FR) fresh from a Grade 1 hurdles win at the Punchestown Festival, had a lot on stepping out of handicap company back on the Flat and ran right up to her best, just lacking a turn of foot and the class to get involved fully in the straight; waited with, headway 3f out, chased leaders entering straight, hampered 2f out, one paced.

LONE EAGLE (IRE) wasn't disgraced judged on his form over the last 18 months, though he didn't quite get the trip, upped fully 7f on any distance he'd tackled previously, worth a try at 2m; chased leader, raced freely, edged ahead 3f out, headed under 2f out, weakened final 1f.

BROOME (IRE) had claims on his win in the Dubai Gold Cup, but was below form and didn't appear to get home, raced at up to 2m previously; handy, shaken up over 3f out, not quicken, weakened 2f out.

BIG CALL (USA) had something to find in this company, though left the firm impression he didn't stay, on the bridle longer than most after the tempo lifted; held up, travelled well, effort over 2f out, not quicken, weakened final 1f.

WISE EAGLE (IRE) shaped as if amiss, though connections were unable to offer an explanation to the stewards; in touch, shaken up 4f out, dropped away 3f out, eased.