Gold Cup (Group 1)

WITH Trueshan missing the race because of a lack of rain (what an irony that seems now), it was meant to be a glorious coronation in the Royal Ascot showpiece for Stradivarius. But it was the four-year-old Subjectivist who took the honours at 13/2 as Joe Fanning’s beautifully executed pressing ride gained the Gold Cup for Mark Johnston and owner Dr Jim Watson, with the gallant Princess Zoe (Tony Mullins/Joey Sheridan) keeping on best if the others for second place, albeit five lengths behind the dominant winner.