WHAT last Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes lacked in quality – which was not a lot, to be honest – it made up for in terms of both quantity and a thrilling finish.

Sixteen declared runners made it the joint-largest field since the race became an older-horse Group 1 in 1995, and even a couple of defections thereafter reduced the competitiveness only a little.

In the end, most of the runners were put firmly in their places, but there was just a short-head separating Rhododendron and Lightning Spear in first and second at the line.

In time terms, this was by no means a bad renewal, even if Rhododendron’s winning effort came nowhere near those of Frankel in 2012 or Farhh the following year, rated 134 and 131 respectively by Timeform.

I have Rhododendronat 119 (Timeform has her at 118), with the sectionals confirming it was quite a well-run race, other than a slightly soft second quarter, at which stage Rhododendron’s stable-companion Deauville was in the lead.

Conditions were fast, but seemed fastest of all for sprints (something which has occurred at this course a few times recently).

Lightning Spear, who was conceding a sex allowance, comes out at 122, and both the first two deserve small upgrades based on their sectionals.

It is hard to believe that Lightning Spear has not won a Group 1 at some point in his by-now-lengthy career, but perhaps that will change.

NO EXCUSES

There were no major excuses for the beaten horses on times and sectionals, though fourth-placed Dutch Connection (114 timefigure) shaped well at a trip that is just too far for him, and sixth-placed Accidental Agent (109) did quite well to make late headway having soon been on the back foot following a slowish start.

Addeybb and Beat The Bank possibly need softer ground (though sectionals suggest the latter’s best effort flatters him somewhat), while Limato may well be best at slightly shorter but was excused by connections on account of an attack of hayfever.

Rhododendron has already been an admirable servant for her connections, versatile in terms of ground and trip, and classy, though I fancy a really top-notch eight furlong/10 furlong horse would still have her measure at places like Royal Ascot. We shall see.