 Although his lead was steadily reduced in the closing stages he never appeared to be in any danger of defeat and came home two lengths in front of Noverre.According to the "Irish Independent" the result was greeted by a "collective gasp of disbelief" from the Ascot crowd followed by a "multiple scratching of heads".Noverre's jockey Frankie Dettori claimed that "the only thing that beat me was the rain" but received a warning for excessive use of the whip.