Showboat, who ran well in so many competitive races without any luck last season, can land a deserved success in the Grantchester Rated Handicap at Newmarket today. He was often badly drawn in 1998, but trainer Barry Hills can have no complaints with the number 10 stall that the five-year-old will jump out of at the start of this seven-furlong event.

In was in this race 12 months ago that Showboat gave the impression that he was likely to pay his way for he finished a two-and-a-half lengths third behind Tumbleweed Ridge. The ground that day was softer than he would have liked and conditions will be more suitable this time round.

Arguably his best performance in a frustrating campaign came in the Tote International Handicap at Ascot last August when he was fourth of 25 to Jo Mell.

The bonus for an unsuccessful season is that Showboat has tumbled down the weights and is now on a lenient mark. Hopefully, that will be exploited today.