Vaibhav Shah

Approaching Christmas four years ago, a still slightly gawky chestnut two-year-old jumped from the stalls for his debut in the 1m3f British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes and had to be rousted along by his jockey just to remain in touch with the rest of the field. In last place around the first bend and along the back stretch, he looked as though his 100/1 starting price was justified. But then he woke up. And on the home turn and down the straight he started to scythe through his opponents...

Carrying a penalty in Thursday's G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket, Scuderia la Tesa and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made light work of the task to enhance his reputation en route to the G1 Irish St Leger. Last seen impressively recording a second consecutive success in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over an extra two furlongs, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old was content to sit behind two rivals racing up the centre of the track and was already closing in with menace when Oisin Murphy gave the command two...