Not since Dancing Brave was beaten by Shahrastani in the 1986 Derby have tactics been the subject of so much discussion as they were following the memorable 5½-length victory by the 25-1 shot Serpentine on Saturday. Aidan O’Brien’s colt, his record eighth winner of the race, made all the running and swung into the home straight 15 lengths clear. It is probable that when the race shakes itself out, Serpentine, given a superb ride by Emmet McNamara, will prove to be the best horse. However the perception remains that the jockeys behind McNamara, riding with something of a herd mentality, gave him too great a lead. The sectional times reveal that they were still spooling out ground to the winner until three furlongs out. However, like a boxer on the ropes in the final round after dominating first 11, Serpentine was the slowest horse through the last three furlongs, but held on comfortably. Having slept on it for a night Frankie Dettori felt he might have been second on English King (fifth, three quarters of a length behind the runner-up) had he had a better run through the race, but conceded that the winner was a good horse.