THE result that the huge Knavesmire crowd desired duly came to pass as Stradivarius, resilient as they come, landed the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup. With this latest success he earned owner Bjorn Neilsen the £1 million bonus, put up by yesterday’s sponsors, for completing a four-timer comprising the Yorkshire Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale, a magnificent achievement which may not be equalled for a very long time.

Sent off at 4/11, Stradivarius raced in fifth for much of the way as Petitioner went into an early lead from Count Octave with Idaho third and Max Dynamite fourth. As usual, Frankie Dettori was in no hurry in the straight but there was a moment’s worry for the favourite’s supporters as Count Octave kicked on and went a couple of lengths clear. As in the Yorkshire Cup, Dettori came to the stands’ rails but the response was not immediate. Then, as at Goodwood, Stradivarius suddenly found another surge and kept on strongly to score by a length and a half. Idaho was well held in third but ran his best race for some time.