Goldwork

His debut at Ascot in April went quietly — he finished eighth and gave little away. But he came back at Goodwood in May and won, and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton hasn't been shy about saying what she thinks of him. She's called him one of her best young horses, and when a trainer who has sent out 42 winners this season singles one out, that's worth paying attention to. The Blewbury yard clearly has genuine belief in this horse.

The big-picture numbers need a little context. Goldwork has run three times at the top level — Class 1 and 2 races, the ones that matter most and attract the best horses in Britain — and hasn't won any of them. That's 0 from 3. But over shorter distances, between five and six-and-a-half furlongs, he has won 1 of his 4 races, a 25% win rate, which suggests he has real ability when the conditions suit. Jockey Charles Bishop has been aboard for six of those seven races and has that sole win to his name from their partnership — a 1-in-6 record that sounds modest but matches the horse's overall profile: a young horse still finding his feet at the highest level.

The more recent form figures are the ones to keep an eye on. His last six results read 1-4-10-14-3-5, showing a horse who won, hit a rough patch in the middle of his campaign, and is now posting placed efforts again. The trainer has hinted at a possible return to Goodwood for the Glorious Goodwood meeting, and even floated Royal Ascot as an idea before thinking better of it for now. Either way, Goldwork is currently active — he raced just one day ago — so whatever comes next is close.