IT is the time of year when thoughts – at least some of them – turn to the winter ahead and beyond that to the flat season after it. There is, of course, plenty of action to take place on the level in the coming weeks but many of the most promising efforts will be discussed with next year’s classics primarily in mind.

That was the case with Saxon Warrior’s victory in Sunday’s Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at Naas, a race which had been won by the likes of Capri and St Nicholas Abbey (as well as by some much more forgettable types) when taking place at the Curragh.

Saxon Warrior rewarded strong support to beat four rivals emphatically by two and a half lengths, and more, and went to the head of the ante-post market for the 2018 Derby at Epsom.

Saxon Warrior is very well-bred, promises to thrive at middle distances as a three-year-old, is with the peerless Aidan O’Brien and has won his only two races in style. What is not to like?!

“Very little” is the answer. But – and it could be considered a significant “but” – he has yet to do anything special on the clock. That does not make him a poor horse but there will be an element of doubt about just how solid his credentials are until he runs a good time.

His win here came in a time 1.22s slower than that of 92-rated handicapper Pincheck half an hour later; that’s a difference of around seven lengths. Saxon Warrior’s debut win on quicker ground at the Curragh had been the slowest of three races at a mile on the card.

Timeform has given him a timefigure of just 87 on this occasion.

I take a different view but still have it well outside the top-20 juvenile timefigures this year on 100.

Pincheck comes out six ahead of him after age and weight carried are factored in.

So, while in no way denying that Saxon Warrior is a highly promising youngster who has achieved plenty in a short space of time, I will not be adding to some of the more extravagant praise that has been heaped on him.

Hold those bets.