never so bold's only race as a two-year-old came on 29 october at newmarket racecourse when he finished eighth of the twenty runners in a maiden race. in the following season he lost his first three races but then developed into what the independent timeform organisation described as "quite a useful handicapper". he won three races including the great st. wilfrid stakes over six furlongs at ripon and the pearce duff stakes over seven furlongs at ascot. he ended the year with a timeform rating of 100.