Shadow King

What stands out is the timing of those victories. Shadow King broke its duck at Kempton Park back in May, then went quiet before striking again at Doncaster in late July. That gap between wins is fairly typical for a developing two-year-old — they don't always perform like machines — but the fact that it has now raced just a day ago suggests the horse is being kept active and sharp by its trainer. Richard Hannon, who runs the yard at Herridge in Wiltshire, knows what he is doing: his stable has already sent out 118 winners this season, which is a formidable tally and a sign that Shadow King is in capable hands.

The recent form line — 11th, 9th, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 5th over its last six races — tells a story of a horse learning on the job. It has hit the frame (finished in the first three) four times in those six runs, which shows consistency. The two wins came on very different occasions, so Shadow King appears adaptable rather than a specialist. At this stage of its career, with a win rate of one in three and regular place finishes, the horse has earned the right to be watched closely. Whether it develops into a genuine force or settles as a reliable handicap performer will become clear over the coming months.