Horantzau d'Airy

His most familiar partner is Paul Townend, one of the best jockeys in the game, and together they've won 2 of their 10 races — that's 1 in 5, which is actually a solid return and suggests Horantzau d'Airy tends to perform when he has quality in the saddle. After one of those victories at Punchestown, Townend noted that he handled the better ground well and had the experience to get the job done — a useful horse who knows what he's doing.

Now trained by Stuart Edmunds, based in Buckinghamshire, he's joined a yard in form — 24 winners sent out this season is a meaningful tally for a stable of that size. Edmunds has been candid about the horse's recent history: he arrived last autumn having broken a blood vessel on a couple of occasions, which is a respiratory issue that can knock a horse's confidence and ability for a period. The trainer took a patient approach, sending him to Cheltenham's Cross Country Chase to give him a kinder test while he found his feet again. The big target being discussed is the Topham Chase at Aintree — a race run over the famous Grand National fences but at a shorter distance. Interestingly, Edmunds has flagged a genuine puzzle: the horse didn't quite stay the full National trip last year, but the Topham might actually be too short. Finding the right race for a horse caught between distances is one of racing's trickier problems.

At the top level — Class 1 races — he's yet to score in three attempts, which is no disgrace given the company. He raced just yesterday, so he's very much an active force, and with a trainer who clearly has a plan and a partnership with Townend that works, another winning day isn't out of the question.