Stradivarius far too good as he makes it ten on the bounce in Doncaster Cup

Not even the Friday the 13th curse could put the frighteners on the winning machine that is Stradivarius, who recorded his tenth victory in a row in the Magners Rose Doncaster Cup.

The Bjorn Nielsen-owned superstar added the traditional stayers' triple crown of the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup to his long list of achievements, vindicating a late and surprise decision by John Gosden to detour to Doncaster.

The task was made easier by the late withdrawal of regular rival Dee Ex Bee and Stradivarius, who returned at 1-9, proved far too good for Cleonte and Max Dynamite under Frankie Dettori.

Gosden, who has never been afraid of deviating from a plan, said: "He's a gorgeous horse to train but he was too fresh at home – rearing up, shouting and playing – so I thought we'd better put him in the Doncaster Cup.

Stradivarius: receives a kiss from Frankie Dettori after his Doncaster victoryCredit: George Wood

"Mr Nielsen was very good about it as it hadn't been the plan. If you wait for Champions Day and it's heavy ground, he won't be running there. Winning the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and this puts him in the top department – he's a great horse."

Betfred and bet365 offered a best-priced 4-6 about Stradivarius for next month's Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, a race he won last year but in which he suffered his last defeat back in 2017.

Stayers' triple crown winners

Year Horse Trainer

1879 Isonomy John Porter

1949 Alycidon Walter Earl

1953 Souepi George Digby

1979 Le Moss Henry Cecil

1980 Le Moss Henry Cecil

1986 Longboat Dick Hern

1995 Double Trigger Mark Johnston

2019 Stradivarius John Gosden

Sights were set on next season for the son of Sea The Stars, with connections keen to continue over staying trips.

"Mr Nielsen's real big plan is Ascot next year – he'd love to win three Gold Cups," said Gosden. "It's a way ahead but I think it's Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, with a Sagaro or Yorkshire Cup route beforehand, and then we might wonder about other options."

Dettori sat off a strong pace set by Oisin Murphy on Cleonte before delivering Stradivarius with a sweeping run approaching the final furlong to score by a length and three-quarters.

"He's great to ride and follows any pace," said Dettori. "I got a good tow off Oisin and he's got one more gear than the rest. When I asked him he went whoosh and it was probably his easiest win today."

Dee Ex Bee has been on the receiving end of that trademark late flourish but after being pulled out of a fourth crack at Stradivarius, he will head for the Prix du Cadran.

"He clearly handles any ground but a bit of cut would have helped him redress the balance and that didn't come," said trainer Mark Johnston.

The crowd gave Stradivarius a warm reception after the race but glimpses of the striking chestnut beforehand were fleeting as he did not enter the parade ring until after the signal to mount, for which Gosden was fined £140 by the stewards.

"I wasn't happy with the breastplate, so I had to source another," said the trainer. "He did a full lap and he cantered down and came back. It was never the intention to come here, let alone be late in the paddock, so maybe they ought to let me off."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live – our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app