Moonfall

Trained by George Boughey at Newmarket, Moonfall has won twice on fast, dry ground from five attempts on that surface, a 40 per cent win rate that stands out sharply from his overall record. His jockey Billy Loughnane noted after an earlier race that the horse "needs every bit of distance," and stepping him up in trip on a flat track paid off. Loughnane also observed that although Moonfall went through the ground without complaint that day, he reckoned the horse would be equally effective on quick ground—a useful trait for a three-year-old who might end up anywhere in the British racing calendar.

The real story in Moonfall's recent form is the back-and-forth nature of it. His last six races read 2-4-1-5-7-1, which means he won his most recent outing three months ago at Ascot, before that he didn't trouble the placings in two races, then finished third, fourth, and second in his three races before that win. It's the pattern of a horse still working out where he belongs. Boughey indicated that Moonfall had an off patch after underperforming in a significant race last season but was shaping up well again, with the yard looking at stepping him up to competitive handicap company—the kind of race that suits horses still proving themselves at this level. At three years old, with a Newmarket trainer who has sent out 99 winners this season, Moonfall has time on his side.