Angel of the racetrack rewards the faithful in best July Cup in years

Sooner or later, all of us must know. The opportunity arises, the planets align, the way forward presents itself not as an impenetrable tangle of country lanes or even as a fork in the road, but a wide straight highway, the way clear, an uninterrupted prospect all the way to glory.

Sport is like this, elite sport. There is a time to wait, a time to think, a time to act. Those who act at the right time and in the right way win the spoils.

Here is Roger Federer, probing for weaknesses, flicking the ball around with an ethereal insouciance, and then his rival dallies, the gap opens, the chance is clear, and another irresistible backhand clips the line. The point, the game, the set, the title is his.