ASCOT’S big day was deflated by the absence of Golden Horn then turned into farce by the stewarding surrounding Speculative Bid in the big handicap, the Gigaset International Stakes.

The race itself was a high-quality one, however, and the timefigures for the winner Heaven’s Guest (113) and runner-up Balty Boys (118) show that they can be competitive at a higher level. In particular, the latter - who carried 9st 9lb and ran off a mark of 108 - should be placed for a listed or lesser group race success.