The market favourite and the editorial pick, and it's easy to see why — three wins from five races including back-to-back wins at Leopardstown, giving him the best win rate in the field at roughly one in every two races. The one flag is that he's never raced on normal ground before, so today's conditions are an unknown, but his trainer and jockey combination has produced nearly 300 winners together.
Never raced on normal groundBest career win rate in field (1 in 2)Market favourite (3.35)
Trainer Quotes
Mar 2026
"He made good progress last season and showed a good attitude to win the Eyrefield on his final run. He'll start off in a Derby trial. 31-03-26"
Stepping up in classWon 2 of last 5Won here 1 time
TrackLab Insight
The only horse in the field who has already won at York, and he's done it in his three races without ever finishing outside the top two — a level of consistency that stands out even in this company. He arrives on the back of a Newmarket win and is the second-highest rated runner here, making him the most obvious danger to the favourite.
Drops 2 classes from usual levelOnly course winner (1 from 1 here)Lightly raced (3 career races)
The top-rated horse in the field by 3lbs, which on paper makes him the one to beat — but his last run at Sandown was a flat effort, beaten six and a half lengths into fourth. He's won just once in five races and his odds have shortened sharply, suggesting punters see more promise than his recent form clearly shows.
Top rated by 3lbs
Trainer Quotes
Mar 2026
"He ran a very good race in the Futurity Trophy when second to Hawk Mountain and he'll be trained for a Derby. I'd imagine it'll be Epsom as he looks an Epsom type. He'll run in a trial, probably at Chester or Leopardstown. 31-03-26"
Only three races into his career and he's finished in the top two every single time, which is a tidy record for a young horse still learning the job. The concern is that his one win came in far lower company than this, and he was beaten over three lengths at Sandown last time out against rivals he'll meet again here.
Drops 2 classes from usual levelLightly raced (3 career races)
Stepping up in classFresh (226 days off)Trainer in formWon 2 of last 5
TrackLab Insight
Two races, two wins — a perfect record, but both came at the lower end of the racing ladder and he hasn't been seen on a racecourse for 226 days, the longest absence of anyone in this field. He's never raced on normal ground and steps sharply up in class; there's a lot of unknowns to unravel before trusting him at 10-1.
Drops 3 classes from usual levelNever raced on normal groundLightly raced (2 career races)Absent 226 days (longest in field)
Won his first two races convincingly but was beaten thirteen and a half lengths into ninth at Newmarket just twelve days ago, which is a difficult result to look past. Like several rivals here, he's never raced on normal ground and steps up considerably in class — the Newmarket flop makes it hard to be optimistic.
Drops 4 classes from usual levelNever raced on normal groundLightly raced (3 career races)
His one win came in decent company at Nottingham, but he was beaten four and a half lengths at Sandown on his most recent outing, which is his only real guide to form at this level. With just two races under his belt and odds drifting to 12-1, the market isn't treating him as a serious threat today.
Only two races into his career and his odds have drifted out to 28-1, which tells you the market isn't convinced. His sole win came in the lowest company he's faced, and he was beaten five lengths at Newmarket last time — stepping into Group 2 company here is a significant jump in class.
Drops 4 classes from usual levelLightly raced (2 career races)
How do odds work?The first number is what you win, the second is what you bet. So 5/2 means you win £5 for every £2. 4/1 means you win £4 for every £1. The bigger the first number, the less likely bookmakers think the horse will win — but the more you'd win if it does.