Odds of 25-1 for the Eclipse are appealing about this returning Godolphin four-year-old with a likeable profile

The Flat season shifted up a gear last week. 

Rapid juveniles were unleashed and there were electrifying Classic victories for Field Of Gold and Lake Victoria and Group 1 wins for older talents Los Angeles, Sosie and Candelari. 

With its midweek meetings at Chester and York and various flagship festivals, the rhythm of the Flat season grips you at every turn and there's still so much to look forward to. 

Now is a good time to start delving into the ante-post markets, where you could stumble upon a horse whose price is set to collapse.

Ombudsman fits the bill this week. Godolphin's lightly raced colt received several mentions in these pages last season and is due to make his reappearance in Thursday's Brigadier Gerard Stakes (7.35).

John and Thady Gosden's son of Night Of Thunder emerged unbeaten in four starts from a carefully constructed three-year-old campaign, with victory in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange in September seemingly paving the way for greater ambitions this term. 

The sire's progeny often flourish with age and two tactical races in France at the back end of last year would surely have assisted Ombudsman's development. He showed a good attitude and notable versatility to prevail.

Thursday's race is reliably a source of Group 1 performers, with four of the last seven winners going on to score at the highest level, and it could set up Ombudsman for a glorious summer given another jolt of improvement is expected.

He's 10-1 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes but more appealing – and perhaps more likely given his profile – is 25-1 for the Eclipse over the same Sandown course and distance as the Brigadier Gerard in July. 

It's interesting that connections opted to enter him in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but a mile and a quarter looks to be his optimum trip on pedigree and performance and Sandown's midsummer showpiece appears a perfect fit. If he wins on Thursday evening, he'll be among the favourites.

Ombudsman: the Eclipse contender returns at Sandown on Thursday eveningCredit: Edward Whitaker

Another to keep on your radar is the once-raced, Roger Varian-trained, Qatar Racing-owned three-year-old Jackknife, who showed he was worth waiting for by making a smooth winning debut last month.

The fact he did it while dealing with the camber of Epsom is even more impressive, and the way he negotiated the downs with such aplomb despite being so inexperienced was to be applauded.

The Kameko colt settled beautifully in midfield under Oisin Murphy and was still coasting on the bridle two furlongs from home. Once committed, he swept to the front and hit the line strongly in the style of a smart prospect.

A gorgeous physical specimen, the colt shares his dark coat with Kameko and hopefully he'll share a percentage of his half-brother Defoe's talent. That Varian star won the Coronation Cup at the same track, but Jackknife has shown more than enough speed to stick at a mile for now.

Like Ombudsman, he'll bid to extend his unbeaten record at Sandown on Thursday evening when taking in the Listed Heron Stakes (8.05). The race is frequently a trial for the St James's Palace Stakes but Jackknife isn't entered for that race and he'll be coming up against vastly more experienced rivals this time.

He doesn't have any fancy entries yet and appeals as the type to build his profile in France in the summer months. It's easy to envisage him proving up to the task and Group 1 entries look likely in the autumn.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.