Why Masar should be allowed to wield the sword of stamina in Irish Derby

There is no such thing as a poor Derby winner and Masar, in contrast, looks well up to the mark. He might have been overlooked by a few in the build-up – yes, I advocated his chance in the Guineas and then forgot all about him for Epsom – but there is no doubt he leads the three-year-old colts on merit.

It was his stamina that won him the Derby, staying on strongly under William Buick while the likes of Roaring Lion and Hazapour found themselves running on fumes through the final furlong, which raises a query about his suitability for the Coral-Eclipse, mooted by Charlie Appleby as a possibility, along with the Irish Derby.

The reason for dropping a Derby winner back in trip is usually rooted in commercial concerns, with the ability to win at the top level over a mile and a quarter seen as vital for a future stallion's allure to breeders.