Shibboleth can prove Henry Cecil right yet again with victory in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot tomorrow.
The twice-raced colt is taking a step into the unknown on his first run in Group One company.
But his trainer is an expert judge of a lightly-raced three-year-old, knowing just when to step him up into the highest class.
Cecil got it right with Shavian and Dr Fong, who both overturned runners with Classic form in the 1990s, as did Chimes Of Freedom and Kissing Cousin in the fillies' equivalent Coronation Stakes.
Shibboleth can continue the trend.
He looked a colt of infinite potential when winning on his debut at Newmarket in April - so much so that he was quoted as short as 8-1 for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas afterwards.
The three-year-old bypassed the big race as it was decided to give him more time.
But he sent out a warning to those who did contest the Classics with an impressive win in a Listed event at Newmarket early this month, showing a sparkling turn of speed to settle the issue in a matter of strides.
That finishing kick marks Shibboleth out as a miler from the top drawer.
It is likely to be too much for Irish 2000 Guineas principals Bachir, Giant's Causeway and Cape Town.
And it should also carry him past China Visit, whose emphatic UAE Derby win came over nine furlongs on dirt at Nad Al Sheba - conditions a long way removed from those he will face tomorrow.
Fellow late maturer Kalanisi can also make a successful Pattern race debut in the opening Queen Anne Stakes.
This Group Two event looked an obvious long-term target for the colt as he won all his three starts last season, culminating in a Listed contest at Kempton.
And he lost little in a narrow reappearance defeat by Swallow Flight at Windsor last month, where he had to come from well off the pace and was narrowly unable to catch the winner who got first run on him.
Kalanisi will be better suited by the strong pace likely tomorrow and can land another big win for owner/breeder the Aga Khan, 10 days after Sinndar's triumph in the Derby.
Flanders can make it two wins from three Royal Ascot appearances by lifting the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes.
The Tim Easterby-trained filly took the Windsor Castle Stakes back to Yorkshire in 1998 and she looked set to spring a 33-1 surprise in this race 12 months ago, only to be caught close home by Mitcham.
Aimed at this race virtually ever since by her shrewd trainer, she left the strong impression she is better than ever at the age of four when overcoming trouble in running to win a minor event at Beverley last month.
Optimaite can also make a wining return to Ascot for the Queen's Vase.
This two-mile contest will have been the last thing on Rod Millman's mind after his colt showed plenty of dash to make all in a five-furlong event here as a two-year-old in April of last year.
But his charge has the pedigree of a stayer and put up his best performance when winning a mile-and-half event at Salisbury last month.
He looked as though he would stay further that day, and his emphatic five-length defeat of subsequent winner Riddlesdown gives him a clear chance on form tomorrow.
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