Those older than three are frequently kept out of big races in Britain that would formerly have been natural targets - such as the King George, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International. Their infrequent British starts tend to be in minor races which serve as a means of keeping them ticking over until the super-valuable international races start being run from October onwards.

One such race was the JLT Aston Park Stakes at Newbury last week. It was only a listed contest but went to Mount Athos (40), a horse that has contested incredibly valuable international races in five of his last 10 starts.