Royal Crusade (GB)

Smart sort; justified favouritism when making a winning debut at Newmarket in August (7f, good to firm); rock-solid effort on next start in Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) in September, when just edged out by Threat; second in the 7f Group 3 Prix Thomas Bryon on soft ground at Saint-Cloud in October; encouraging sixth on return to action in June 2020 in Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (6f); built on that by winning the Group 3 Prix De Ris Orangis at Deauville (6f, good) when next seen in July; midfield in 6f Group 3 at Meydan when next seen in March 2021 and same again in Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint later that month; well held in Group 3 Criterion Stakes (7f) at Newmarket in June 2021 and not much better when fifth of seven in Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury (6f) in July but well held in Listed race over 6f at Newmarket in August; decent third of ten in 5f Haydock handicap in September; won decisevly in first-time cheekpieces at Kempton (6f) in October.