Hogan key to Sceptical fairytale as Hilltop firm's policy reaps rich rewards

If Frankie Dettori can coax Sceptical to turn the tables on his Diamond Jubilee conqueror Hello Youmzain in the Darley July Cup, it will provide a suitably glorious climax to the sort of salutary David and Goliath narrative that racing is always desperate to promote.

The fact the race is sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed’s breeding operation will add to the impact. The Hilltop Racing team of Jim Gough and his nephews Stephen and James McAuley purchased the four-year-old from the Dubai ruler’s Godolphin operation for a meagre £2,800 last autumn, and the unraced cast-off’s whirlwind ascent to the summit of the sprinting ranks has been well documented.

At Newmarket’s July sales this week, the Hilltop firm spent 77,500gns for 11 more acquisitions in the quest for similar unpolished gems, with the likes of Godolphin and Juddmonte mined again.