ASCOT 16:25 5l3y30

Non Runners: TAC DE BOISTRON (FR), PALE MIMOSA (IRE). Race Distance Adjustment: +12 yds

Time: 4m 21.09s

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 103.4%

A competitive Ascot Gold Cup that produced a thrilling finish and it was a good-quality renewal as well, last year's winner Estimate ed in the line up by St Leger scorer Leading Light as well as the likes of Brown Panther and Altano, who've won top staying races themselves within the last 12 months; it wasn't a slowly-run, messy affair like has sometimes been the case in this race in recent years but nor was the front-runner forced into overdoing things, Missunited probably given the best ride but still overhauled by a couple.

LEADING LIGHT (IRE) is a bit of a class act in this staying division, capable of running to figures in the mid-to-high 120s over middle distances (as he showed on reappearance 4 weeks ago) yet also having stamina in abundance, having no problem at all with the extra 4f than he'd gone over previously and winning his second Group 1 after last season's St Leger success; he chased the leaders and briefly looked in trouble when driven along 3f out, but that is often his style and he found plenty to lead 1f out, wandering off a true line in front (hung left and then right) but always holding on; he's really tough and has never really let down, boasting 7 wins from 9 starts, his only defeats having come on debut and in last year's Arc, which was a big ask, and if kept to these top races at 1¾m+ then he's certain to be adding to his impressive strike rate.

ESTIMATE (IRE) hasn't been easy to train, hence only having run twice since winning this corresponding race 12 months ago, but returned as good as ever, putting up a big performance to almost record back-to-back wins, right up to her best but having a better-quality opponent in Leading Light to contend with this year; she raced in touch and travelled smoothly, going as well as any turning into the straight, making headway once in line for home and challenging between horses over 1f out (always had just enough room), sticking to her task without ever looking likely to the winner well inside the final 1f; this was always going to be the main target for the season and the main question going forward is whether she can be kept sound and stand a bit more racing.

MISSUNITED (IRE) has hit top form, arriving on the back of a listed win less than 2 weeks ago, and ran a massive race to go close to causing a shock here, better than ever, seeming to relish the 4f longer trip, although was seen to maximum effect under a good ride from the front, stealing a few lengths when pressing on in the back straight and finding plenty for pressure, even after headed 1f out, rallying back; a tough, likeable mare, she'll probably try to repeat last year's Galway Hurdle win next.

BROWN PANTHER shaped as if still in top form and was just stretched by this marathon distance, going with enthusiasm under a positive ride (chased leader), holding every chance when bumped over 1f out before weakening, clearly tired at the line; he's best up to 2m and will hold solid claims of repeating last season's Goodwood Cup win back down in trip next time.

SIMENON (IRE) produced his best effort of the season so far, doing enough to suggest that he retains all of his ability, worth rating slightly closer on the day as didn't have the ideal position, dropped out and making his ground up out wide over 3f out, running on late; the Melbourne Cup is again likely to be the main target in the second half of the season.

ORIENTAL FOX (GER) was never likely to be up to being competitive at this level and ran as well as could be expected in face of a stiff task; held up, travelled better than most, headway over 2f out, one paced and could never threaten principals.

ALTANO (GER) wasn't on a going day, already firmly ridden along (off bridle before most) when hampered by the weakening Royal Diamond on home turn, making no further impression; he's a very smart stayer when on song and usually bounces back quickly.

HAVANA BEAT (IRE) seemed to stay the 5f longer trip okay, running to form but not up to the task at this level, his limitations well exposed already; in rear, ridden over 3f out, plodded on, made no impression.

SHWAIMAN (IRE) faced a stiff task in this grade and ran as well as could be expected without ever landing a blow from off the pace, being slightly hampered under 2f out making little difference.

AHZEEMAH (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% in the end; raced off the pace, pushed along over 4f out, progress over 2f out, held when eased inside final 1f, something not right.

SADDLER'S ROCK (IRE) who wore first-time blinkers, has lost his way and no longer worth a rating, his figure from Dubai in the spring dubious anyway (finished out the back slowly-run race); mid-division, raced freely, beaten over 2f out, made little impression.

ROYAL DIAMOND (IRE) is unproven over this trip and was too free in the early stages to see things out, chasing leader after 4f having pulled hard and weakening 3f out as soon as things hotted up.

RALSTON ROAD (IRE) was beaten by more than lack of stamina over 4f longer trip, turned in rare poor effort; mid-division, off the bridle before most, lost place end of back straight, first beaten.