CONDITIONS were at their most testing on the straight mile at Ascot on Saturday, in a reversal of the usual situation, and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes ended up as quite a test, with a final time of 1m 44.88s and late sectionals of around 13.5s per furlong.

That said, the winning time had been over 1m 46.0s in 2017 (when Persuasive won) and 2014 (Charm Spirit), so these things are relative. By way of comparison, Silver Streak ran 13.17s per furlong for more than the final five furlongs of a hurdle race over twice as far at Kempton the following day.

Either way, it really sorted the wheat from the chaff, with King Of Change emerging victorious with a 125 timefigure and sectional upgrade combined, and a 98.7% finishing speed (that is, he finished slower than his average race speed).

The Revenant confirmed the form he had shown in France with a 121 figure in second, despite being impeded slightly late on, and Safe Voyage (117) was in third, running at least as well as previously without ever getting in a blow.

In this context, fourth-placed Veracious ran especially well having cut out the running, and remains on 117, while Mohaather (116), in fifth on his first start since winning the Greenham at Newbury in April, looks a good prospect at seven furlongs and at a mile for 2020.

It is reasonable to assume that the favourite Benbatl was unsuited by the ground, though his scintillating win on good-to-firm at Newmarket recently had come after an extended spell on the sidelines.

Another to disappoint was Magna Grecia in 14th, though, perversely, the win of King Of Change boosted his 2000 Guineas win at Newmarket in the process.

There had been doubts as to whether Magna Grecia had been flattered in beating only two on his side of the course that day.

But, given that those two had been King Of Change and Shine So Bright – both high-class winners since – those doubts no longer seem justified.

The fact that the only handicap on the QIPCO British Champions Day card – the Balmoral – was also run on the straight mile makes time-based conclusions about the Queen Elizabeth II more robust.

That race was even more attritional, with Escobar coming from out the back to win in 1m 45.80s and everything completing in a finishing speed of 98% or less.

I have Escobar running to 115 on overall time and sectionals combined, and he may have to ply his trade in listed/lesser group races hereafter.

That sort of future definitely looks realistic for the runner-up Lord North, a three-year-old carrying co-top-weight who additionally raced closer to the pace than ideal: a figure of 120 has him firmly in the group-winning bracket.