Abbey only 2lb off juvenile top since 2000; RPR verdict Simon Turner assesses the Racing Post Trophy winner.

IN ADDITION to his scintillating Racing Post Trophy win, St Nicholas Abbey's ability is further illustrated by the fact that only Fast Company (123), Holy Roman Emperor (125), Johannesburg (125), New Approach (125), Shamardal (124), and Teofilo (125) have posted juvenile RPRs of 123 or better since the millennium.

As recent Royal Ascot winners Three Valleys and Canford Cliffs testify, impressive two-year-old winners do not always immediately go forward from huge runs in their first year of racing, but St Nicholas Abbey's improvement curve has been gradual and I'd be very surprised if a Racing Post Rating of 123+ flatters him at all. He certainly appeals as being open to as much improvement as any of the leading juveniles, who are currently rated 4lb or more behind him.

Given that an RPR of 124 or higher would have secured seven of the last nine renewals of the 2,000 Guineas, St Nicholas Abbey looks one of the most exciting prospects we've seen recently.

TOP 2YOs SINCE 2000 ON RPR 125 Holy Roman Emperor Second to Teofilo in Dewhurst but retired to stud at end of that year 125 Johannesburg Triple Group 1 winner who flopped in the Kentucky Derby 125 New Approach Dewhurst hero won the Derby, Irish Champion and Champion Stakes 125 Teofilo Beat Holy Roman Emperor in Dewhurst before injury ended his career 124 Shamardal Won French Derby and St James's Palace Stakes on final run 123 Fast Company Second to New Approach in Dewhurst; didn't race again 123 St Nicholas Abbey Scintillating Racing Post Trophy winner. Major Classics contender