GM23 – don’t get me wrong, he is a very good (if not a little one dimensional) horse (especially at Ascot) but his two previous wins in this were not the strongest of G1s and when he has come up against the top G1 types he has been found wanting.
I have always viewed him as a strong G2 horse (a 6 time winner at that level) with the ability to win a G1 if the race cuts up a bit in terms of quality, fortunately for him, Ascot has this G1 race on its books and can on occassions throw up a weaker renewal which he has taken full advantage off.
There isn’t an owner out there that wouldn’t give their right arm for a horse like him with 15 wins from 37 runs under rules, win prize money of over £750k and total prize money breaking through the £1m mark after today’s gallant effort.