Align The Stars

Trainer Charlie Johnston, based at Middleham Moor in Yorkshire, sees genuine potential in this horse. He is a huge animal built for distance, and Johnston believes stamina racing — particularly the kind of relentless, ground-eating marathon that suits horses bred for the very top tier — could unlock a much higher level. The trainer has even mentioned the Ascot Gold Cup as a long-term target, and spoke of the St Leger as a realistic next step if the horse can find his feet again. Last season was untidy, Johnston admitted, with too many races chased in pursuit of a Book 1 bonus, but this year started well enough with a win at Kempton and three victories under jockey Joe Fanning, who has ridden him 16 times for a 19% win rate together.

At Class 2 level, Align The Stars has won 2 of 12 races — a 17% win rate — which shows he belongs at that standard but is not dominating it. He will not race on soft or muddy ground, which limits his options, and his trainer was considering either a valuable one-mile-six-furlong race or the Chester Cup as his next assignment. The horse is at a crossroads. He has the pedigree and the physical tools to be very good, but he has not yet proved it over the extreme distances Johnston believes suit him best.