WHEN analysing races we currently have much more on which to base assessments than just the visual performance and the distance by which the winner won. Winning an all-aged Grade 1 by 57 lengths, you would think, should have the wow factor.

When Kauto Star won the 2009 King George by 36 lengths from Maison Du Berlais, he earned the term “magnificent” in the post-race comments and a rating of 193.