One beast and one monster - superstar performances as the Flat finally takes off

The 2021 Flat season perhaps needed a day like this one. We have had the Guineas, Chester, York and more besides, yet with no disrespect to all that has gone before, this may have been the day when the season truly hit its stride.

At times during these last few weeks, the Flat has felt a bit, well, flat. Hitherto lacking have been performances that brimmed with brilliance. A literal reading of the bare form may tell you otherwise, but Palace Pier displayed considerable brilliance in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Frankie Dettori certainly thought so.

Not that this was just an afternoon about one man and his horse. Here at Newbury, Al Aasy took Group 3 honours without coming off the bridle, while at Newmarket, John Leeper confirmed himself to be a genuine candidate for a Cazoo Derby success that would melt many a heart. Plenty of people will be cheering him on at Epsom. They likely would not make as much noise as Emma Banks released in support of Lady Bowthorpe.