John thrives off steady pace but Rocco needs stiffer test

Not a vintage Gold Cup, but one that went to a progressive seven-year-old in Sizing John (174+), who proved his stamina, albeit in a relatively steadily run race.

His winning rating falls below the level of an average winner of the race, but it wasn't a contest that lent itself to producing a really big figure.

With just five lengths covering the remaining 11 horses approaching the third-last fence, the race was not as strongly run as the last two editions and that may have compromised the chance of dual runner-up Djakadam (171), who could manage only fourth home this time around.