Silver Gunn

The most telling detail is where he wins. Two of his three career victories have come at Windsor, from 12 races there — a 1-in-6 record at that particular track that puts him well above his overall average. Something about that course suits him: the wide, sweeping bends, the flat surface, the way races tend to play out there. Trainer Marco Botti's yard at Newmarket has sent out 45 winners already this season, so Silver Gunn is operating in a busy, confident stable that knows how to place a horse.

He has also been reliable on normal ground — two wins from 8 races in those conditions, a 1-in-4 record that suggests he is at his best when conditions are neither too wet nor too firm. Jockey Neil Callan brings out something extra in him too: together they have won 2 of their 8 races, a 1-in-4 partnership that stands well above Silver Gunn's overall win rate.

What Marco Botti has said about him suggests there could be more to come. After Silver Gunn won easily at Windsor, Botti described himself as pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the victory was — and the handicapper's response, raising him 8lb, reflects that the performance caught some attention. Botti has spoken about Silver Gunn as a big, scopey individual who still has room to improve, and had been eyeing a step up to a higher class of race at Windsor over the same distance.

The concern is the recent form. Silver Gunn has not won in his last six races, with finishes of fourth, fifth, eighth, seventh, tenth, and seventh — a run that suggests he has been finding life harder as his mark has risen. He last won 21 months ago at Newmarket in August 2024. He raced just yesterday, so he is in the middle of an active campaign. Whether the confidence from that Windsor win still has legs — metaphorically speaking — is the question. But at a track he clearly loves, he is always worth keeping an eye on.