Baaeed in the Arc would be a huge deal but wishing so won't make it happen

When Sea The Stars was crowned Cartier Horse of the Year 13 autumns ago, his trainer John Oxx batted away my stumbling apologies for demanding yet another interview.

Oxx was only too happy to relive the emotions of an extraordinary season once again, fairly certain he would never have another horse who demanded such attention.

William Haggas carries the air of a man who knows the sand is fast running through the hourglass for him and his team with that great stallion's mid-period masterpiece Baaeed, a simply spectacular winner of the Juddmonte International.