Qirat

The horse has a genuine love affair with Goodwood, winning three of his six races there. That is the kind of course mastery that separates a decent horse from one who is truly figured out in a particular place. His most recent victory came just two months ago at York, but it is his Class 1 win at Goodwood on 30 July that signals a shift. Beckett has made no secret of his surprise at that result — he admitted afterwards that nobody expected it, but Richard Kingscote's ride was immaculate, sending Qirat forward from early and letting him lead the way over ground that was suited to his style. The trainer's post-race comments were telling: "Qirat has always threatened to be a good horse, I've just never managed to get it out of him until today." That is the confession of someone who has finally cracked the code.

The key to unlocking him appears to be two things. First, normal ground works in his favour — he has won three of six races (50%) on standard conditions, and struggles when the ground becomes wet or muddy. Second, distances between seven furlongs and a mile suit him best; he has won four of nine races (44%) over that trip. Jockey Hector Crouch has a strong record aboard him too, winning three of seven races (43%), and it was Crouch who noted after a recent run that Qirat had been hampered by conditions that day but was "at his best back on the easier surface."

Beckett, who has sent out 107 winners from his Kimpton yard this season, clearly has bigger plans. He mentioned the Goodwood Celebration Mile and a possible tilt at the Diomed on Derby weekend. After years of promising without quite delivering, Qirat looks to have found his feet at last. Whether he can sustain this run remains to be seen, but for now, his recent form suggests a horse hitting his stride at exactly the right moment.