Does the form on the Flat become less reliable as the summer fades?

Next week's Qipco British Champions Day, and the Future Champions Weekend that precedes it, were set up to provide a clear climax to the Flat season. Their success in terms of the British season is not in doubt, and it is only slightly impeded by the lure of equally prestigious autumn meetings abroad.

It is not much good for jumps fans, though, who must increasingly feel like kids kept back at school on the last day of term.

It used to be that one could crack on with winter pursuits straight after the Arc without much guilt, but now the quality remains so consistent that we can easily be detained until Melbourne Cup day – or Haldon Gold Cup day, if you prefer.