'If he's still got it he's going to win' - Stradivarius to face crunch York test

Bjorn Nielsen believes if Stradivarius has "still got it" he will land a third Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup next Friday, but if he fails to sparkle while getting his conditions it could signal his illustrious career is coming to a close.

The seven-year-old will have a point to prove at York, having finished fourth behind Subjectivist in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, his fourth defeat in five starts, including two attempts over a mile and a half.

Stradivarius heads the ante-post market for the Lonsdale Cup at 7-4 generally ahead of Trueshan, winner of the Goodwood Cup for Alan King and Hollie Doyle, and Yorkshire Cup winner Spanish Mission.

"The bonus no longer being there makes the Lonsdale Cup slightly different," said Nielsen. "I don't think it's a question of other horses beating him. He's seven now but as long as he's still got it he's going to win. York is the one place we’ve always had the good, or good to firm, ground Stradivarius prefers and he’s never been beaten there.

Watch Stradivarius finish fourth in this year's Ascot Gold Cup

"The day he's beaten when he has his conditions, then that will probably be it, but from what I hear he's still full of it. Frankie [Dettori] and John [Gosden] have told me how well he's been working, so I hope it can last for a few more races."

Stradivarius, who won the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million bonus when winning the Group 2 in 2018 and 2019, was withdrawn on the day of the Goodwood Cup last month due to the soft ground.

"We’d have loved to have gone for that fifth Goodwood Cup, and in previous years we might have as it was heavy summer going and not the holding ground he had in the Arc on Champions Day, but at this stage of his career, we just don't want to do it," said Nielsen.

Frankie Dettori: celebrates after winning the 2018 Lonsdale Cup aboard StradivariusCredit: Edward Whitaker

That is not to say Stradivarius is coming to the end of the road. Nielsen said: "He’s still got that enthusiasm and we don’t want to spoil it. As long as he’s got it he’ll perform, but as soon as it’s gone, then his time is up. So why ask him to do things he doesn’t enjoy?

"His strength as a stayer has always been that great turn of foot, and soft ground just takes it away. The other great thing about him – and the key to his longevity – is that he only does as much as he needs to.

Lonsdale Cup racecard and betting

"As Mick Kinane once said to me, he just goes through the motions, like his father Sea The Stars, and it’s because he’s usually using only 90 per cent of his capacity that he keeps coming back."

On the seven-year-old's long-term future, Nielsen added: "There's interest from two or three studs in England, and foreign interest too, and when his time comes he can hopefully pass on his qualities as a racehorse.

"I’d obviously prefer him to stay here, but the key thing is I want him to have the best chance possible to cover Flat mares – I don't want him going straight down the jumps stallion route."

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