Sir Garfield

His relationship with Catterick Bridge is particularly strong. He has won three of seven races at the track, making it his stronghold. That kind of specialist record—winning on home turf more than a third of the time—suggests either that the track suits his running style or that he simply runs with more confidence there. His jockey Jason Hart has been his most effective partner, winning five races from 21 rides together, a rate of 24 percent, which is well above his baseline. Hart seems to understand how to set him up.

Recently, though, the form has been choppy. His last six races read as 8th, 2nd, 8th, 6th, 1st, 1st—two wins nestled in between some poor efforts. He won at Epsom Downs seven weeks ago, which was his last victory, and he raced just a day ago, so he is very much an active, in-work horse. He typically competes in Class 5 races, the lower tier, where he has won just once from ten attempts, suggesting he struggles when pitched into deeper water. Trained by John and Sean Quinn, a yard in Norton, North Yorkshire, that has sent out 44 winners this season, Sir Garfield remains a useful tool for the team on the right ground and at the right track.