If you believe that fairytales can come true you will have no hesitation in selecting Mind Games to take the £100,000-added Nunthorpe Stakes today on the closing day of York's Ebor meeting. Some might argue that the five-year-old has got something of a raw deal being brought back into training having successfully got 62 mares in foal this year.
Any other stallion covering so many of the finest female equines would be given the rest of the year off for recuperation.
But make no mistake, Mind Games thrives on racing and now is the best time to catch him, while he is fresh from his new career.
Always a horse whose stamina tends to give out at distances beyond five furlongs, he won first time out at two, three and four and Jack Berry is sure to have the apple of his eye at peak fitness to do himself justice.
On the pick of his form from last season, particularly a half-length second to Pivotal in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, he would be amongst the favourites here.
Jo Mell, better than ever this summer, looks the one to be on in the Bradford And Bingley Rated Stakes, with John Reid in the saddle, following a three-timer in competitive handicaps.
His best effort came last time over course and distance last month on a 12lb higher mark than Newcastle, where he cruised to the front over two furlongs out and readily disposed of Therhea.
Racing off his highest mark of 93 tomorrow, Jo Mell can continue his progress.
