Royal Blaze

Trained by Ewan Whillans at Hawick in the Scottish Borders, Royal Blaze seems to thrive on ground that plays to its strengths. The horse wins roughly 40 per cent of the time on normal conditions (2 wins from 5 races) and performs well on faster, drier ground too, with 2 wins from 7 races there. Distance-wise, it is most effective over the middle distances of seven furlongs to a mile, winning one of three races at that trip. The horse typically competes in Class 6 races — the lower tiers of British racing — and has a 33 per cent win rate in that company (3 wins from 9), which indicates it is well-suited to this level.

David Nolan, Royal Blaze's most frequent rider, has partnered the horse six times and won twice, a win rate of 33 per cent. That is a sharp record and hints that the right jockey can unlock something extra. With two wins in its last six races and a race just yesterday, Royal Blaze remains active and competitive. The recent victory at Ayr suggests form is steady, and with Whillans's yard on a strong run — 28 winners this season — the conditions are right for the horse to continue picking up races at the tracks where it has learned to win.