Despite Hills’ enormous success – he won every English Classic except the Derby and 29 Group One races in all, including four on Nayef – critics have frequently sharpened their knives, particularly when he has been trapped wide and unable to get a handy position. Many times, though, he had simply been following instructions. “He always likes you to be in the first four. Even if you want to drop one in, he’ll come to me in the paddock, put his hand on my shoulder, and say 'No further back than fourth or fifth.’ They are tactics he likes.”