Kindest Nation

Her trainer, Hugo Palmer, runs a serious yard from Malpas in Cheshire—67 winners this season alone speaks to a busy, successful operation. Palmer has noted that Kindest Nation surprised him with how much she improved through her four-year-old year and has identified normal ground conditions as her sweet spot. Indeed, the figures back that up: she has won twice from seven races on standard going, a 29% win rate that stands out when you consider her overall record. She last won at Newcastle nine months ago on 20 November, which means there is work to be done if she is to get back to the winner's enclosure, but her recent form is mixed rather than disastrous—sixth, fourth, ninth and sixth in her last four runs suggests she is still competitive, still racing in decent company, and still capable of running well.

At five years old and with 27 races under her belt, Kindest Nation is a seasoned, honest campaigner rather than a rising star. She does best in the races where she belongs, on ground she likes, and Palmer clearly believes there is still at least one more win in her. Right now she needs a run to go right—the ground to suit, the field to be kind—but the talent and the record suggest it will come eventually.