James Toller proving that big-race success is more than a fluke

James Toller is familiar with the experience of winning a big race when almost able to hear the sound of a pin dropping on to the turf.

It was through no fault of her own that Lady Bowthorpe, the fast-improving filly who the former trainer bought at the sales as a yearling, received a muted reception for her coming-of-age performance in last Sunday's Betred Valiant Stakes as there were no spectators at Ascot to see her.

For Toller, the hush for the career-defining success of Compton Place in the July Cup of 1997 was a little more of his and the horse's making.