on his first two starts as a four-year-old never so bold was beaten in a handicap race at newmarket at was then tried at listed class in the john of gaunt stakes at haydock park racecourse, where he finished second to mr meeka. the colt's rise to the top of the sprint division came in june when he won the prix de la porte maillot, a weak-looking group three event over 1400 metres at longchamp racecourse. in the group one july cup at newmarket he started a 33/1 outsider but exceeded expectations by finishing second to the three-year-old chief singer, and ahead of the leading sprinters committed and habibti.