Hillview

The peak of that story came at Uttoxeter in June 2022, when Hillview won a Class 2 race — one of the top tier of races in Britain — in the style of a horse who seemed to be improving with every run. Jockey Sean Bowen described him afterwards as a strong stayer who picks up well when ridden patiently, the kind of horse who finds more when it matters. That win came despite Hillview carrying more weight than ideal, which made the performance all the more striking. The two of them have built a real partnership over the years: Bowen has ridden him in 14 races and won 5 of them, a win rate of 36%, or better than 1 in every 3. That is the sort of record that suggests genuine chemistry between horse and rider.

What makes Hillview's story complicated right now is what has happened since. That Uttoxeter win was 50 months ago, and he has not won in his last 6 races. Hamner has been candid about why: a suspensory injury forced a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and bringing a 10-year-old back from that kind of setback is never straightforward. The trainer has said plainly that fast, dry ground is what Hillview wants, and that at his age there are real questions about whether he can return to the level he once competed at. That honesty is refreshing, and it tells you Hanmer knows his horse well.

Hillview raced just yesterday, which means the team clearly believes there is still something to work with. Hanmer's yard has sent out 19 winners already this season, so this is not a stable running on hope alone. Whether Hillview can add a sixth win to his tally — and do it at the level he once reached — is the open question. The ingredients are there. The injury, the age, and the 50 months since his last win are the obstacles.