THE European turf flat season is almost over, all but a handful of classic clues have been identified by those anticipating the arrival of the 2016 campaign, and last week saw the addition of an unexpected name to the mix as the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy winner Marcel struck at odds of 33/1.

Some who spring a surprise in a top juvenile event are exposed individuals who benefitted from lucky circumstances, or who have put up an unrepeatable once-in-a-lifetime effort, but the colt who beat Johannes Vermeer by a length and a half at Doncaster is a lightly-raced one with classic potential.