A La Noche

The horse shows his best form at middle distances between a mile and a furlong and a mile and two furlongs, where he has won 1 of his last 4 races at that trip. That 25% win rate over his preferred distance is notably better than his overall record, suggesting Oliver Cole's yard at Whatcombe knows where A La Noche runs his best race. The win at Salisbury came at that distance, and his recent form — a 11th place yesterday followed by a place finish, then a sequence of mid-field efforts — hints at a horse who can compete but is still searching for another breakthrough. With the yard having sent out 8 winners already this season, there's clearly good form at Whatcombe, and A La Noche may yet find himself back in the winner's circle if his trainer can get the conditions and the trip exactly right.