Miss Imogen Mathias(5)

What makes it worth watching, though, is context. Last year she was winning at a rate of around 1 in every 25 rides — modest, but a real number on the board. That form has dried up entirely this season, the kind of dip that happens to riders at every level and does not, on its own, tell you much about where she ends up. Four years in, she is still learning her trade, and the fact that she is picking up 24 rides in a season means trainers are still putting her up — which counts for something when opportunities can disappear quickly for riders who are not delivering.

The "(5)" after her name refers to a weight allowance she carries — a small advantage given to less experienced riders to help them compete, and one she will hold until her record improves. The next winner, when it comes, will matter more than most.