The form of last season’s Jean-Luc Lagardere won by Karakontie has now been boosted in France, Spain and Britain following the smart run of Barley Mow (37) in the Listed International Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.

Barley Mow didn’t quite manage to win because he went rather wide around the tight home turn and had to try and catch a winner that had been allowed a pretty easy lead which enabled him to scoot the last three furlongs in 33.65 seconds.

Barley Mow’s effort fell short by half a length. However, he’s a good looking sort and I liked the way he kept on worrying away at the winner, reducing his lead all the way to the line.

Around a more galloping course, I feel sure he’d have won.

In the Jean-Luc Lagardere, Barley Mow finished just three and a half lengths behind Karakontie, Noozhoh Canarias and Charm Spirit. That form is now beginning to look awfully good.

I note with interest that Barley Mow is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club.

It would be unusual for a horse from the Hannon yard to be effective beyond a mile in Group 1 company but it’s also unusual for the stable to enter a horse in such a race.

Add this to the way Barley Mow was finishing and I suspect the French classic might well be a good idea.

I’d certainly like to see Barley Mow given a shot over 10 furlongs at some point. Right now he may not look quite good enough for the Guineas but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make the improvement needed to at least place in Group 1 company.

The winner Bow Creek (37) has now won all three times he’s run in a single figure field on a flat track - making all the running every time. He’s lost his other six starts. Clearly he’s very good at dominating small fields from the front.

Third placed American Hope (35) threw his head around and pulled hard until about halfway.

He moved forwards to challenge a furlong out but couldn’t quite continue his effort, almost certainly due to not settling.

He’d done the same thing the previous time he’d run in a small field.

It looks like he needs more runners to give him cover.