Into The Park

Those two wins came in quick succession in early 2024, first at Newbury in January and then at Taunton the following month. Back-to-back victories in the space of four weeks suggested a horse hitting its stride, but Into The Park hasn't managed to get its nose in front since — a run of 15 races now without a win spanning 27 months. The recent form figures of 4-7-4-3 show a horse that is still placing, still showing up, but the winning touch has proved elusive.

Class 3 races — solid, mid-tier contests a step below the elite — appear to be the natural home. Two wins from 10 races at that level, a 20% win rate, is genuinely respectable and suggests Into The Park is competitive when pitched at the right grade. The challenge is converting that competitiveness into victories again.

Jockey Micheal Nolan knows this horse better than anyone, having teamed up for 9 of those 17 races. Together they have a record of 2 wins from those 9 — winning roughly 1 in every 4 or 5 times they line up together, which is a strong ratio and suggests a real working partnership. Trainer Billy Aprahamian, based in Towcester, has had 12 winners from his yard this season, so the operation is in form even if Into The Park hasn't contributed to that tally lately. The horse raced just one day ago, which means it is very much an active, current runner rather than a work in progress — and with the Nolan partnership intact and the yard in decent shape, another win is not out of the question.