KINGMAN (43) has shown repeatedly this season that he can produce a remarkable sustained sprint to the finish off a moderate early gallop. Indeed his only loss in eight starts to date came when he had the finish run out of him by the furious early gallop in the 2000 Guineas.

It was business as usual in the Prix Jacques le Marois where the early pace was moderate.

Kingman was about four lengths back when the pace quickened three furlongs out.

Yet despite the final three furlongs being run in just 34.23 seconds (remarkable for soft ground) he came from four lengths back to score by two and a half lengths going away.

The runner-up Anodin (41) was the only other horse still moving smoothly when the gallop picked up. He couldn’t go with the winner but showed once more that his acceleration makes him a gifted performer in small fields when the early pace is moderate.

Third-placed Olympic Glory (40) was floundering when the pace increased. Clearly he needs a stronger gallop.

Rizeena (40) also had to be rowed along when the gallop increased but put up her best ever run to finish a close fourth. She’s yet to be beaten in five tries on tracks described as ‘testing’ and it was easy to see why here.

She’s clearly very smart but needs a steep uphill finish to stop her rivals getting away from her. I’m now liking her chances of maintaining her unbeaten record on testing tracks in the QEII more than ever.

German raider Red Dubawi (40) has won both his starts over a mile since moving to Germany, including a Group 2. He set the pace and couldn’t go with the principals at the business end but showed he’s very useful over this distance.