The proper stuff is back, but even fellow jumps fanatics can't ignore the Flat

Champions Day might be around the corner, but as a jumps fanatic I have to admit that Chepstow's big meeting at the weekend might previously have marked the point at which I gave up on the Flat. In fact, I've been counting down the days until this point since April.

However, this year I have a confession. I will be watching the final few weeks of Flat season more closely than I have ever done before – and I suggest you will too.

There is an old expectation that it's at the big spring and summer meetings when the top future prospects emerge, but last year definitely proved that not to be the case as three of the four British-trained runners in this year's Arc made their debut in October 2020.