Champions run fast times but take the same time to recover from illness and injury as a kids pony. It's an absolute disgrace that Lochinvar Art was allowed to start just a fortnight after a similar poor finish and the stable reported it had "only" a "minor" lung infection. Only now do the stewards demand a vet certificate is produced before it races again. Standing it down and making the horse trial satisfactorily seems one start too late.

A compliant media and the fools that took the slim odds about the horse could fall for the ruse. I guess we can now add the stable connections to that list, we have been dripped dubious reports about the horse's condition for the past eighteen months.

NZ Cup? Dream on.

Boncel Benjamin? Done, if that run is used as a measure. Lightning struck twice for the horse during last year's ID Final, the second time being in the stewards room.

Copy That looked a certainty after a lap. Driven quietly this week and latching on to Lochinvar Art's back for a cart-up some well below par performances from quality opponents saw his class get him home.