YORK 15:00 z5254

All 8 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +43 yds

Time: 3m 1.21s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.75s (108.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 100.7%

Last season's dominant stayer, Stradivarius, was the headline act in an excellent renewal of the Yorkshire Cup and was made to work hard by an up-and-comer from Ballydoyle, the first 2 finishing clear even though the gallop had eased mid race before things began in earnest through the last 4f.

STRADIVARIUS (IRE) is a fabulous stayer, unbeaten last season, and returning from 7 months off he picked up where he left off to defy a penalty, typically workmanlike but fending off an improving 4-y-o in Southern who also had the benefit of a recent run; held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led entering final 1f, kept on gamely; he'll come up against some new faces again as he bids to follow up his Ascot Gold Cup win next month, with the likes of Cross Counter, Dee Ex Bee and Kew Gardens all potential opponents, but that was the race in which he achieved his highest Timeform rating so far in 2018 and this ought to help get him to his very best again.

SOUTHERN (IRE) gave Stradivarius a fright and deserves credit for that, no doubt running a personal best, with 5 lengths back to the rest, and there could be even more to come, a 4-y-o in only his second season; chased leaders, typically travelled well, close up over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, kept on, pulled clear of remainder; it'll be hard to turn the tables on Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup, not least as he'll be 3 lb worse off, but he is likely to stay 2½m and should certainly be competitive.

MILDENBERGER had no problem with the 2f longer trip and ran up to his best, positives to be taken from the fact he's taking his racing well after missing almost 12 months, and he'll fall on much weaker staying races than this; pressed leader, led over 2f out, headed approaching final 1f, one paced.

ISPOLINI thrived in Dubai earlier in the year, progressing into a very smart stayer, but, whilst not disgraced, he wasn't able to repeat that recent improvement back in Britain after 7 weeks off; in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

DESERT SKYLINE (IRE) looked rusty after 7 months off, possible he'll strip fitter for the run, but after finishing second in this corresponding race last year he rather lost his way and does generally have a bit to prove; in rear, effort over 4f out, outpaced 3f out, plodded on, never a threat; a switch to more severe headgear might help.

MOOTASADIR was well held up in trip/back on turf and does seem a different horse altogether on all-weather; held up, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out.

SEVENNA STAR (IRE) might have needed the run on first outing since leaving John Gosden after 7 months off and is possibly best on softer ground too, although given he was sold from previous connections relatively cheaply for a Group 3 winner there's a bit to prove generally; led until over 2f out, weakened.

AIRCRAFT CARRIER (IRE) was out of depth and isn't proven on firmish ground on turf, always behind.