QUIPCO QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (GROUP 1)

FAVOURITE backers enjoyed their first success of the afternoon when French challenger Solow, probably helped by a long rest since the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, justified odds of 11/10 in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

He seldom appears to be doing things easily but is a top-class older miler and there is no arguing with nine straight victories. Tracking Elm Park and Kodi Bear, he was sent on by Maxime Guyon a furlong out and held 33/1 chance Belardo by three-quarters of a length with Gabrial, 66/1, running a mighty race in third.

Aidan O’Brien’s Gleneagles, having sidestepped various opportunities over the past few weeks, started hanging and faded into sixth when Ryan Moore brought him under pressure.

Solow, a taking grey by Singspiel, was completing a nap hand of Group 1 prizes. He has been very well placed by trainer Freddy Head and deserves a rest now.

“He is a brilliant horse, a tough miler who can stay,’’ he said. “He doesn’t have to be hidden away and come with a late burst. He will go back to his owners’ (the Wertheimer brothers) stud and then come back to my yard, where we’ll try to get him ready for Dubai.’’

In some ways the Queen Elizabeth II was a curious race, with Belardo - largely disappointing since winning the Dewhurst last year - and Gabrial, unsuccessful since taking the Lincoln, filling the places.

However, neither was beaten very far in the Sussex Stakes, either, so in that respect the form was franked. Belardo had hinted at a return to form at Newmarket recently and Roger Varian is looking forward to 2016 with him.

As for Gleneagles, the dual 2000 Guineas winner clearly needs the ground on top and O’Brien was right to hesitate for so long before finally allowing him to take part. He is far better than he showed here and the Breeders’ Cup Classic remains a possibility.

“We knew Gleneagles didn’t like the ground soft, but Solow certainly does,’’ Guyon said. “He is the best horse I’ve ridden.’’

Now that the winner has carried all before him over a mile it is easy to forget that he once finished down the field, in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, over very nearly twice that distance.

He is unbeaten since that day at Longchamp in May 2014.