Classical Allusion

The horse runs out of Andrew Balding's Kingsclere yard in Hampshire, one of the most productive operations in the country right now. With 204 winners already sent out this season, Balding's team clearly know how to place a horse to its best advantage — and the fact that they have kept Classical Allusion patient and selective, with only two races to date, suggests they see something worth protecting here.

At four years old and with so little racing behind it, almost everything about Classical Allusion's story is still to be written. The Southwell win came six months ago, but the horse has been seen out just four days ago, which means it is fit, active, and presumably being pointed somewhere with purpose. Two races in, the team appear to like what they have.