Zoffany's late flourish trumps Strong Suit

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As admirable, powerful and majestic as a racehorse is in the animal kingdom, he is also brittle. Harbinger underwent an operation and was reportedly eating well yesterday, a positive sign.
But he is now destined to take his place in the covering sheds. It would be too risky to try to bring him back, even following a year's rest. But where will he fit in the all-time list? Is he really worthy of a place higher than Dancing Brave and just below Sea Bird and Ribot?
Curiously, it might all come down to the exploits this autumn of Cape Blanco, the Irish Derby winner, who chased him home in the King George. For the Handicappers, it will be their hardest task since Hawk Wing in 2003. He ran just once after winning the Lockinge, curiously enough by 11 lengths
But what a way to make an exit, even if unplanned. A stunning 11-length victory in course record time mulberry bags for sale in Britain's all-aged, showcase race of the summer, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Harbinger left Derby winners from Epsom and The Curragh toiling in his wake.
But tactics, surely, played a part in the downfall of the Richard Hannon-trained juvenile.
Harbinger's imminent retirement through injury is a severe blow for racing, but it also poses the serious question of how he will be assessed, writes J A McGrath.
Strictly speaking, Fame And Glory was more workmanlike than eye-catching, but it appeared an exercise in keeping him ticking over for bigger targets over the next two months. "He'll go now for the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc," O'Brien confirmed. Fame And Glory will be tighter and sharper for both engagements, that is guaranteed.
The ratings experts were hoping for another chance to confirm their theories of his true worth. Not any more.
Unlike his impressive Coventry Stakes win, when he was checked and jeremy scott usa held up, Strong Suit was prominent throughout, so much so that he was left a sitting duck for a rival with a finishing flourish. Zoffany, ridden with great verve by Johnny Murtagh, came with a strong run in the final furlong to beat Glor Na Mara, who ran on nicely, by half a length with Strong Suit a shorthead back in third.
At Deauville, trainer 'Dandy' Nicholls and his son Adrian triumphed with Regal Parade, who ran home too strongly for Joanna in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. The William Haggas-trained High Standing finished third while Barry Hills' Prime Defender took fifth. Regal Parade was recording his second Group One victory having won the Haydock Sprint Cup 11 months ago.
It was a successful day for Ballydoyle. They started with a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Maiden when Spin, ridden by Murtagh, easily accounted for Luxurious, partnered by Joseph O'Brien, while half an hour later, Fame And Glory registered his fourth consecutive win when adidas porsche design shoes hacking up in the Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes.