STRADIVARIUS, unbeaten now since his three-year-old days, won the Yorkshire Cup in a fashion best described as a “shade cosily”.

A raw timefigure of just 87 from Timeform, it’s hard to work out where his ability ends. Each of his last five starts featuring steady paces with finishing speeds of 106% or higher, something not conducive to impressive clock performances nor getting to the bottom of a horse’s true potential.

When sectionals were factored in, I rated Friday’s performance 116, but it’s clear that his ability far outranks that number. Of importance is the fact that Stradivarius is an unusually versatile stayer.

He has the tactical speed for a steadily run 14-furlongs yet his greatest victory came over a trip six-furlongs farther in the Gold Cup. My instinct is a trip between those extremes is ideal although, for Timeform at least, there is little disparity between his ability at any of these distances.

Southern France (111, with sectional upgrades) ran something close to his best which, given he’s long been touted as Ballydoyle’s successor to Order Of St George, was perhaps no surprise now he’s into his four-year-old campaign.

I was fairly encouraged by his run, particularly his attitude once headed, and he gave me the impression that he could push Stradivarius even closer given a sterner test of stamina.

If there is a chink in Stradivarius’ armour it must be that he hasn’t had his stamina tested to extremity; for all the Gold Cup at Ascot is always going to test stamina, last year’s edition featured a pace which put tactical pace at an equally high premium.

You’d be loathe to suggest Stradivarius doesn’t have an excellent chance of completing the Stayers’ Million for a second year but, given the quality of operation you are dealing with in Ballydoyle, he’ll perhaps have to reach new heights to do so.