You can debate mad and bad but swerving the Arc with Baaeed makes me mighty sad

The decision to swerve the Arc is undoubtedly sad. The mad and bad are more debatable. It is, however, likely most observers will feel the decision to aim Baaeed at the Qipco Champion Stakes ticks at least two of the three boxes.

Sad, mad and bad was how the Racing Post's celebrated bloodstock writer Tony Morris described owner Peter Savill's 1995 decision to select the Prix du Jockey Club over the Derby for Celtic Swing. He duly won at Chantilly and very probably would have lost at Epsom, meaning Savill and trainer Lady Herries will therefore have felt vindicated.

Should Baaeed win at Ascot in the style he won at York, it will only leave us with a greater sense of what might have been – perhaps even what should have been.