Fast ground excuse for Sebastian Fast ground probably counted against John Dunlop`s San Sebastian in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last week.The seven-year-old gelding finished fourth to Royal Rebel in his third attempt to lift Flat racing`s premier staying prize and Robert Hamilton, travelling head lad to the trainer, indicated he was unable to quite live with the principals when the pace quickened turning for home.'Maybe the ground a little bit quick - as they get older they don`t get any faster,' Hamilton told the Racing Channel today.'He`s a real stayer and the field just seemed to get away from him before the turn for home and he wasn`t quite making up enough ground to get in a serious blow.'Hamilton also had news of Dandoun, who was a leading fancy for the St James`s Palace Stakes, but only beat one home in the Group One contest.'Dandoun won his first three starts but he got a bit edgy beforehand and maybe he just bottled it a bit on his first time under the big lights,' he added.'But Olden Times (second) ran a great race so one compensated for the other to a certain degree.'
