At four years old, this is actually a fairly typical age to be making a debut in this sphere of the sport — some take longer to develop than others, and patience at this stage is often rewarded later. The horse has time on its side.
The most significant fact here is who is responsible for preparing Closing Time. Nicky Henderson's operation at Upper Lambourn is one of the most respected yards in British racing, and this season alone they have sent out 90 winners — a remarkable output that reflects serious depth of talent and a training team that knows how to have horses ready to perform. When Henderson runs a first-time-out horse, it is worth paying attention. He does not tend to waste a run.