It Ain't Two’s trainer Hugo Palmer could not remember having a Super Sprint runner before, but it turns out he ran a very well known horse in the race back in 2016.

The ultra tough and consistent five-furlong specialist Copper Knight has become so closely associated with Tim Easterby that it’s easy to forget that he began his career with Palmer, for whom he won Chester’s Lily Agnes Stakes. He was sold cheaply after the Super Sprint but has gone on to win another 14 times, so it’s no wonder that Palmer himself jokes that he has tried hard to forget he once had him!

Whereas Copper Knight went from strength to strength, It Ain't Two’s time is now and so connections are keen to make the most of her. Oisin Murphy, who rode her at Sandown but was initially pencilled in for Amestris, is booked.

Palmer, now in his third season with the filly’s breeder and part owner Michael Owen at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, said: “It Ain’t Two is exactly the right sort for the Super Sprint. She isn’t very big, but she’s very fast and she tries very hard. She’s already got black type and the Super Sprint is worth a huge amount of money, so we are giving it our best shot.

“She seemed to thrive at Sandown last time when second to Aesterius in the Listed Dragon Stakes, and she’s done precious little wrong. We’d have loved a slightly stiffer track but Newbury isn’t totally flat and has a little uphill kick towards the finish.”

He added: “We only put her in the sales to qualify her for auction races, and the intention was always to buy her back, unless someone was offering substantial money. It’s worked out well for this race as she gets in near the bottom, despite a small penalty.

“Michael bought the dam Usra with his friends the Diamonds, who live in the Far East, and the year-older half-brother Balon D’Or is another speedy type. I suspect this is It Ain't Two’s season, so we’ll try to get as much out of her as we can.

“Her sire Calyx was at his brilliant best at two, and the mare was a useful two-year-old by Requinto, who won the Molecomb and Flying Childers. Everything about her adds up to her being a speedy two-year-old, but we’ve plenty of other nice two-year-olds and so there’s lots to look forward to.”