Southoftheborder

The real clue to Southoftheborder's potential lies in two specific conditions. On normal ground, he becomes a different prospect altogether — he has won 2 of his last 3 races on such surfaces, a 67 per cent win rate that stands out sharply against his overall figures. More striking still is his performance over the longer distances. Asked to tackle distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, he has won 2 of 3 races, a 67 per cent win rate that suggests this is where he belongs. His last victory came at Aintree on 15 May, five months ago, showing he can still produce the goods on a big stage.

Knight has made it clear she is nursing him carefully. He believes he will eventually prove better suited to distances beyond two miles and will make a chaser — a horse jumping fences rather than hurdles — once he is ready. For now, the yard is taking its time, avoiding overdoing a horse she describes as "very big." Ridden most often by Brendan Powell, Southoftheborder remains lightly raced for his age and appears poised for better things once conditions align and the ground suits him.