Applesandpears

Those two wins came at Chelmsford in late October and then Newcastle in mid-November, roughly a fortnight apart — a trainer who wins twice in quick succession with a young horse usually knows exactly what they have on their hands. Edward Bethell, who trains Applesandpears out of Middleham in North Yorkshire, has had a productive season by any measure, sending out 58 winners. That kind of output doesn't happen by accident — it reflects a yard that knows how to place horses in the right races at the right time, and it gives real confidence that Applesandpears has been handled carefully.

The one thing to note is the gap since that Newcastle win. Applesandpears hasn't raced for around four months now, which is a significant break at this stage of a young horse's development. That said, Bethell's record suggests the team tends to know what they're doing, and a horse this effective early in its career is worth following closely on its return. Whether the break reflects caution, a minor setback, or simply a decision to let the horse strengthen up over winter, only the yard will know — but the form it left on is about as good as you could hope for.