Hanagan plays leading role despite finishing last

Paul Hanagan said there had been no pre-planned “brilliant tactic” behind Toscanini missing the break in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes but thought the way he reacted to the slow start certainly helped stablemate Ribchester take Group 1 honours.

“I think the brilliant tactic was because he missed the kick I didn’t rush him up there and set the other horse alight,” said Hanagan.

“I’m quite proud of myself for doing that. He missed the kick – horses can do that – and I accepted that.”

Frankie Dettori, rider of Galileo Gold, thought the ground more than the tactics was to blame for their defeat and decided to go it alone closest to the stands’ rail to help his mount settle.

He said: “It was one of those things and you have to deal with the hand you’re dealt. That’s racing, but he hates the ground and ran a bit fresh. The writing was on the wall two furlongs out.

“I wanted to stay away from the others as had I raced with William [Buick, on Ribchester] Galileo Gold would have been even more competitive and therefore even weaker in the finish.”