Early-morning trips through passport control have become a familiar part of Colin Keane’s first year in the Juddmonte hot seat – but there will be a spring in his step boarding his next bleary-eyed flight to the UK knowing Epsom glory could await on the other side.

Only days away from the first anniversary of accepting the role as retained rider for one of the sport’s leading owners, Keane will sport the Abdullah family’s famous silks aboard Derby second favourite Item, the Dante hero and latest Epsom hopeful from the Balding dynasty.