Brandenburg

The horse broke through at Beverley in May, then went quiet for a couple of months before striking again at Hamilton Park in July. That second win came five weeks ago, and Brandenburg was back in action just over a week later, finishing second. The most recent outing, a day ago, didn't go to plan — it ran badly, coming in twelfth — but the overall pattern suggests a horse with real potential rather than one-hit wonder. Two wins from the last five races shows staying power.

Ann Duffield's yard has been productive this season with seven winners, and Brandenburg appears to be among the better prospects she has. At just two years old, with half its races ending in the winner's circle or a place, the horse has the kind of record that justifies genuine interest. The question now is whether that bad run was a blip or a warning sign, and whether Duffield will give it another chance to prove it can get back to winning ways.