A few seasons ago Stradivarius was the undeniable top stayer in the world. Now at the age of 8, he’s not managing to have the same impact in top races.
A winner of three Ascot Gold Cups and a four time winner of this race, he’s proven himself time and time again at this level but age might just be catching up with him. The emergence of Trueshan gave him difficulty as that rival got the better of him twice last season.
Now Stradivarius arrives off the back of another disappointment in the Gold Cup. Tactically it would appear that Dettori got him trapped during a crucial time of the race again and he did still rattle home well for 3rd.
A change in jockey hopefully brings about a change of fortune for his swan-song.