Rafe's Da Man

The horse is trained by Richard Hannon at his Herridge yard in Wiltshire, a powerful operation that has already saddled 118 winners this season. That kind of volume speaks to a trainer with plenty of ammunition and the infrastructure to manage young horses through their early races. Rafe Da Man's recent form — a win last time out followed by places in its previous outings — suggests it may have found a comfort level at Goodwood. Young horses often need a few runs before the penny drops, and with a win now under its belt, there is momentum to build on. How the horse develops over the next few weeks will be the real test of whether it is a genuine prospect or simply a two-year-old enjoying a brief flash of form.