Flightline was just a fascinating horse to follow - whatever hat you're wearing

Whether wearing a bloodstock hat while assessing racehorse performance leads you down a different path to those trodden by a handicapper, tipster, racing professional or fan, is interesting to ponder.

It probably does.

Inevitably, if you like the sire or his or her stud, or dam, or damsire, or a horse from back in the family, or the breeder, or are lucky or shrewd enough to own a relative of a top-notch performer, the chances are you’d look more favourably upon events. And vice-versa of course.