SUCH is the nature of hurdles in the modern era, for that read the lowering of hurdles since 2008 and 2009, flat performers with an ounce of quality can more than make up for any jumping shortcomings if they can handle the transition to jumps. The Irish-bred Ancient King, the one-time third-leg of trainer Stefano Botti’s Irish-bred trifecta in the 2013 Italian Derby, is undefeated in five jumps starts this season.