MAGICAL Memory won the six-furlong handicap on the first day of Newmarket’s July meeting last year off a mark of 96. The handicapper raised him 9lb for that win, but he got to race in the Stewards’ Cup – an early-closing race – under just a 6lb penalty, so he was 3lb well-in, and he duly won that as well.

This year, Magical Memory has won the Group 3 Abernant Stakes and the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes, and he is among the favourites for the Group 1 July Cup this afternoon. But his serious upward trajectory began with victory in that six-furlong handicap on the opening day of the July meeting last year.