I find it hard to agree with the criticism levelled at Mick Kinane in the wake of Rock of Gibraltar's failure to win the Breeders Cup in Chicago last weekend.

With seven successive group one victories under his belt, it was no surprise that Rock of Gibraltar was made favourite although I have to confess I backed the winner Domedriver, having seen him win impressively at Longchamp on Arc Day.

Mick Kinane has been roundly criticised for the ride he gave Rock of Gibraltar. The race is on a circuit of exactly one mile and left handed and in my opinion the critics are wrong for the following reasons.

Two factors played a significant part in the defeat of arguably the best horse in the race. The first was totally predictable when Rock of Gibraltar was drawn ten out of 14 with a run of 125 yards to the first turn.

The second hazard was totally unpredictable and this was the accident which resulted in the demise of his stable companion Landseer. Rock of Gibraltar was riden to overcome the known hazard and without the second he may well have won.

Like the majority of European horses he was slow into his stride compared to the Americans. Domedriver and Dressed To Thrill were also among the last four running to that first turn. Landseer, having run in two group one sprints before he shipped to America, did better from stall 13. Kinane saved ground with just two on his inner on that turn and Rock of Gibraltar travelled down the back stretch more or less last around nine lengths off the pace.

On the turn out Rock of Gibraltar had to get serious. He responded and being wide on the turn he was assured of a clear run, barring imponderables.

Landseer, also wide but close to the pace, shattered his off fore leg as the leader straightened. How he did not fall immediately is a mystery but Kinane's view of the incident was obscured by horses until the last moment and he had a split second to react.

Fearful of Landseer collapsing in his path Mick took evasive action to his left. Rock of Gibraltar's head came up, he became unbalanced, lost his momentum and ducked in behind Dressed To Thrill for a couple of strides.

A moment later he was in full flight once again but that hesitation was his undoing and we know what happened.

Critics suggest Kinane should have made his ground down the back stretch. Had he done so - and his rivals were not stopping - with a horse which has not run further than one mile the likelihood is that he would have had no horse under him in the home stretch.

Infact, Rock of Gibraltar made his ground through the slowest three furlongs. There is no way Kinane could have anticipated the Landseer incident and far from riding an ill-judged race, I believe he gave the horse the best possible chance of winning under the circumstances.

Thierry Thulliez, criticised after Sulamani's defeat in the Arc although he was riding to orders, got a dream run between horses in the straight having been on the rail out from stall five from an early stage. Had Domedriver not found the split a furlong from home Rock of Gibraltar would have won and his jockey praised for a brilliant ride. Of the first half dozen to finish not one was drawn higher than sixth except the Rock.

Perhaps the best horse did not win but I believe Kinane's critics had become mesmerised by Gibraltar's marvellous record and the fact that he is owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.

As an afterthought I am wondering where Kinane's critics were after Van Nistelrooy came from last, ten lengths off the pace, on the turn in for the Royal Lodge stakes at Ascot last month. Now that might have been an ill-judged ride yet I did not read one critical report.