Evolutionist

She is trained by Karl Burke at his yard in Coverham, North Yorkshire — one of the most productive operations in the country right now, having sent out 140 winners already this season. Burke has been enthusiastic about Evolutionist from early on, describing her as a filly who "did very little wrong last year" and has strong form to back that up. After her most recent run at Longchamp in France, he was candid about having had a difficult week with some of his horses running below expectations — which made Evolutionist's performance all the more pleasing. She handled the race well, and Burke's explanation for why is instructive: she stays well over longer distances. At a mile and a quarter, she is built to last, and that stamina is increasingly looking like her strongest asset.

Her best form has come at distances between a mile and one furlong and a mile and two furlongs — she has won 1 from 3 races at those trips, or roughly 1 in every 3, which is an excellent ratio at this level. The team are now weighing up whether to head back to France or aim for one of the Classic races at Newmarket — the Guineas, no less. The fact that conversation is even happening tells you everything about where Evolutionist sits in the pecking order. She is not a horse being aimed at modest targets. She is one that her trainer genuinely believes can compete at the very top of the sport.