THERE was a bit of a paradox in the finishes of the Royal Ascot Group 1s over the opposite extremes of distance. The two miles, four furlongs Gold Cup was acknowledged by pretty much everyone as the race of the meeting.

Trawlerman, a son of the Derby winner Golden Horn, going head-to-head with Scandinavia, a son of the Kentucky Derby winner and US Triple Crown winner Justify, in a memorable battle between two top-class, courageous horses. It’s the extension of breeding the best to the best and how you think the sport should play out.