Henry's Friend

That Ascot record tells its own story. Two wins from just 3 visits is the kind of dominance that trainers dream about, and his most recent win there, on 1 November 2025, was something special. Ben Jones, his regular partner — they've won 4 of their 10 races together, which is 40% of the time, a remarkable number at any level — simply let him find a rhythm, and once he did, nothing could get near him. Trainer Ben Pauling described it afterwards as "an absolutely awesome performance," noting that Henry's Friend was jumping beautifully, barely fit, and still completely untouchable. That kind of performance at the top level hints at a horse who saves something for the big days.

Pauling, whose yard near Naunton in Gloucestershire has sent out 89 winners this season alone, made no secret of his excitement. After Ascot he immediately pointed Henry's Friend back there for the Howden Silver Cup in December, pleased that the horse had only gone up 3lb in the weights — the small penalty a handicapper applies after a win. He also floated the idea of the Grand National at Aintree, where Henry's Friend actually began his career with his first win back in May 2022. The profile fits: a front-runner who stays forever, jumps well, and loves a big occasion.

Ground conditions matter too. On normal ground, he has won 3 of his 5 races — 60% of the time — suggesting he is at his very best when conditions aren't extreme in either direction. His Newbury win on 28 December 2024 showed another side of him: pulling clear late in the race, hitting the line hard, in a way that suggested a horse still improving at nine years old.

Recent form shows a few quieter runs, but the last result before those was the Ascot win — and with a horse who clearly thrives at that course and operates comfortably at the very highest level, one quiet patch is unlikely to be the last word.