Having gone 2-2 as a juvenile, including a Group 3 triumph, you could argue it’s disappointing that Simon & Ed Crisford’s Knight is winless in four starts this term. However, he’s been knocking on the door and this race at Newmarket on Saturday looks an excellent opportunity to record a much-deserved win.

After a no-show at Newbury in April, the three-year-old was gelded, before two solid efforts in a couple of Group races at Goodwood in August. He was then sent to Sandown a month later and was narrowly defeated by the 115-rated Chindit in a Listed event.

Despite the G3 Darley Stakes this weekend representing a step-up on paper, it actually looks an easier assignment – especially now the ground is soft.

The selection loves such conditions, which can’t be said, at least not with any certainty, about several of his nine rivals. Spirit Dancer, Dubai Future and Real Gain in particular have to prove they act with cut in the ground – and even so, Knight’s form compares favourably to their best efforts on sounder surfaces.

George Boughey’s Raadobarg, with Ryan Moore onboard, is a danger having finished just over a length behind Knight at Sandown the last day, but the latter was pulling away at the line so I expect the form to be confirmed over this slightly longer trip.

If he runs to form, he should be hard to beat. There’s plenty in his favour and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t win this one.