Evaluation

The most telling detail is his record in Class 2 races, the top tier of the races he regularly contests. He has run 13 times at that level and never won. When he does win, it comes in lesser company, and on normal ground his record improves dramatically: he has won 4 of 11 races on those conditions, a 36% win rate that is substantially better than his overall numbers. It suggests a horse with clear preferences — he is not versatile, and he is not at his best when the race is hardest.

Adam Nicol's yard at Seahouses in Northumberland has him in its care, and the trainer has spoken about Evaluation with genuine enthusiasm, describing him as "very exciting" and noting a close second in the Northumberland Plate this year. The comments hint at a horse Nicol believes has more to offer, particularly over hurdles, where he was being prepared to compete when those remarks were made. Whether that move happened or whether Evaluation continues on the flat remains unclear from the available information. What is certain is that for a horse who once found winning straightforward on his preferred ground, the last 22 months have been a long time between celebrations.