IT is an understandable instinct to respond to the victory of an unconsidered outsider in a big race as a “fluke”, especially when that unconsidered outsider’s chief rival was unlucky, as was the case with Marcel in victory and Foundation in defeat in this year’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

But instinct may prove misplaced in this instance, for the evidence of the clock is that Marcel is an up-to-scratch winner of the Group 1 for two-year-olds.

By extension, Foundation, who got no sort of a run but still closed late on under minimal pressure, must be pretty good as well.

The Racing Post Trophy was the only race over a mile on the card, yet all but one of the other contests were also on the straight course, and there is ample evidence to make comparisons under such conditions.

On ground that was “good to soft” but with a slowing wind, Marcel stopped the clock at 1m 42.19s, which is equivalent to a timefigure of 117, which is the equal-second-best - behind Air Force Blue (121) and alongside the fillies Minding and Acapulco - by a juvenile in 2015.

Sectionals confirm a good pace (despite some reports to the contrary) though they don’t tell the full story where Foundation is concerned. The previously unbeaten colt got stuck in traffic just as the race was developing, and he passed the post with plenty still left in him.

First and third are by no means stoutly bred, and the Guineas rather than the Derby may provide them with their next big opportunity.

Second-placed Johannes Vermeer may not be out of the top drawer, but his 114 timefigure is marginally the best from a juvenile this year with serious pretensions to staying a mile and a half. He also should not be underestimated.