Five moderate rides or an exceptional one? The jury is still out

There was not one, but two blows in the build-up to the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup. First Stradivarius, then Trueshan came out. With neither lining up it felt like the race that never was.

In the end, only one horse did turn up. Quickthorn was mesmerising, and turned the race that never was into one that wasn't a contest as he led from the start, stretching his lead with each passing furlong.

It was a scintillating performance that raised three possibilities. First, is Tom Marquand a genius? For all that he is an immensely talented rider that might be a stretch, and Marquand himself was quick to play it down, stating the credit should go to his mount.