Masterclass

The key to unlocking Masterclass is the ground beneath his feet. On fast, dry conditions he has won 3 of his 11 races — that is 27%, or better than 1 in every 4 attempts. Compare that to his overall record and the difference is stark. When the sun has been out and the track is quick, he is a genuinely different animal. Jockey Brandon Wilkie noticed it first-hand at Yarmouth, saying Masterclass "picked up nicely" when asked and "liked the ground", adding that he has "a good attitude" — which, for a horse with 51 races on the clock, is no small thing.

His most recent win came at Nottingham in May 2025, and Paul Midgley clearly felt it was the start of something. The horse followed it up with what the trainer describes as a solid run at Redcar, only to be unlucky — struck into from behind — before the chance was gone. That kind of frustration is part of life with a horse who is operating in competitive company. What made things more baffling was a recent return to Nottingham, a track where he had already won. Midgley watched him reach the final furlong looking like a winner, only for Masterclass to fail to quicken when it mattered. "For whatever reason," the trainer said, with the resigned honesty of someone who has learned that horses do not always have an explanation ready.

He has not won in his last six races, and his recent form figures — fourth, eighth, fourth, eighth, third, sixth — suggest a horse who is regularly in the mix without quite getting there. Regular partner Callum Shepherd has ridden him 15 times for 2 wins, a rate of roughly 1 in 7. Midgley's yard has been in fine form overall, sending out 39 winners this season, so the support structure is there. Masterclass just needs the sun to come out.