Subjectivist storms home to Gold Cup glory

It was billed as a day of history for Stradivarius, but it was Mark Johnston‘s Subjectivist who stole the show on Gold Cup day at Ascot..

The Middleham trainer, who has tried so hard to topple Stradivarius, finally got his reward for persistence as Subjectivist won convincingly. It was a superb ride from jockey Joe Fanning who rightly earned much of the plaudits.

Subjectivist was always up there with the pace throughout the race, with Amhran Na Bhfiann taking them along early doors. Subjectivist was right there in the vanguard, as is custom for Johnson runners, and Stradivarius happy to gallop along in the middle of the pack.

The race began to unfold just as they began rounding the turn. Amhran Na Bhfiann was pushed along, and Subjectivist full of running, grew into the lead. As they turned into the straight Fanning sent his mount on in a decisive move.

The response was instant and Subjectivist asserted pulling two, three lengths out of the field. Many were caught off guard and began to push away on their mounts. Stradivarius, meanwhile, had no view of the leader, met with a wall of horses in front.

Dettori tried to get him out with two maneuvers, but by this point Subjectivist had bolted. His lead grew and two furlongs out it was clear who was the winner, hands and heels in the final stages.

Princess Zoe, Spanish Mission and Stradivarius chased hard in vein, and eventually finished in that order.