The Stone Power

The broader context here matters. Beckett's yard has sent out 111 winners this season alone, which tells you this is not a small operation finding its feet — it is one of the most productive stables in Britain right now. Horses trained here tend to be well-prepared and placed sensibly, so when The Stone Power keeps knocking on the door, you can be fairly confident it is being given realistic opportunities to win rather than being thrown in at the deep end.

What stands out is the consistency. Finishing in the top three in all three races is not nothing — plenty of horses career around without ever threatening the frame. The question is whether The Stone Power is a horse that simply finds one or two too good, or one that is still maturing and has a win around the corner. After a short break of 67 days since its last race, the yard will be hoping the freshener has sharpened things up. At three years old, there is every reason to think improvement is still to come.