Zubaru

The conditions matter here. On fast, dry ground, Zubaru has won 2 of its 3 races — that's a two-in-three hit rate — which is a genuinely striking number. It suggests this is a horse that wants the ground riding quick beneath its feet, and with summer approaching, that could become a real asset. The distance sweet spot appears to be somewhere between seven furlongs and a mile, where it has again won 2 of 3 races. That combination — right ground, right trip — seems to unlock something in Zubaru that isn't always there otherwise.

One thing worth noting is that Zubaru has yet to win at Class 5, the level it has competed at most often, going 0 from 4 at that grade. The two wins have come elsewhere, which gives this week's results an interesting dimension — it may be that Zubaru is a horse operating at a slightly unusual level, better than its most frequent class suggests, but still finding its place in the pecking order. George Scott's yard has sent out 51 winners already this season, so there's plenty of confidence and momentum behind the operation. When a yard is running that hot, horses in form tend to stay in training and get opportunities quickly — and Zubaru, having raced just yesterday, is clearly being kept busy while the winning feeling is fresh.