Avionics

The fact that Avionics has already hit the frame — finishing second in one of those two races — is encouraging. Young horses at this stage are often just finding their feet, and a runner-up finish so early in a career suggests the ability is there. Zero wins from two races sounds underwhelming on paper, but for a two-year-old with almost no experience, it really isn't. The question is whether that potential gets converted into a win next time out.

What genuinely strengthens the case for Avionics is the yard behind it. Andrew Balding operates out of Kingsclere in Hampshire, one of the most respected training bases in Britain, and this season the operation has sent out 202 winners — a remarkable volume that reflects a team at the very top of its game. When a horse this young is sitting in a yard producing winners at that rate, it tends to get the best of everything: experienced handlers, smart race planning, and the kind of patient development that turns promising youngsters into genuine winners. Avionics may not have scored yet, but it is learning its trade in exactly the right place.