Brutus Maximus

What we do know is that the breeding is interesting. His father is Sea The Stars, one of the most celebrated racehorses of the modern era and now a highly regarded stallion, while his mother's side traces back through Halling, a tough, versatile performer who won at the highest level. On paper at least, Brutus Maximus has the bloodlines to suggest he could develop into a decent horse in time.

He is trained by Luke Dace, a small yard tucked away in Billingshurst in West Sussex. Six winners on the board already this season tells you this is a set-up that knows what it is doing, even if it is not one of the big famous names in the sport. Debut runners from smaller yards are always worth watching — when a trainer like Dace sends a first-timer out, it is usually because they genuinely believe the horse is ready.