And then there was Davy Russell. Barry Geraghty's retirement means another member of a peerless generation of Irish jockeys exits the saddle. This vintage crop of riders born within five years of each other - also including McCoy, Walsh and Carberry - transformed their profession, casting an enormous shadow over those in their wake. There's always a new generation. But time and perspective seems sure to make this one seem only more remarkable.

Sceptical goes into the July Cup with a very big chance of winning, and it would be unbelievable for trainer Denis Hogan, owners Jim Gough and James McAuley, everyone in the yard and of course Sceptical himself if he could win a prized Group 1 in Newmarket.