'He was in the wonderful position that he could dictate when the race developed'

From the way he rode her in the Ribblesdale, Shane Foley was well aware that Magical Lagoon was something of a grinder – albeit a very high-class one – and that she needed time to get organised.

On paper it's never entirely obvious where the pace will come from and from a wide draw in stall eight, Shane looked as if he was prepared to go forward, stay wide and be able to assess how the pace was unfolding.

If he'd wanted to make the running he could have done, while he was also in a position to take back if necessary. He was just giving himself options.