While they are not exactly battening down the hatches, bookmakers are already beginning to construct their defences against another Pasternak attack on the day the weights were issued for next month's Newmarket Cambridgeshire.

Last year, Sir Mark Prescott's charge led a one-two for the local trainer after being backed from double figures to 4-1 favouritism to land one of the biggest gambles of the year, costing the layers around £5 million.

Once bitten, twice shy, and on the announcement of the poundage Pasternak heads all markets. Coral seem the most concerned. They are unwilling to offer more than 8-1 about the chances of a repeat performance.