Barenboim

The most interesting thing about Barenboim is what happens when the ground gets soft and heavy underfoot. On wet or muddy ground, he has won 4 of his 8 races — a remarkable 50% win rate that transforms him from a decent horse into a genuine threat. For context, most horses at his level would be thrilled to win 1 in 5. On wet ground, Barenboim wins 1 in 2. That is not a coincidence; that is a horse who genuinely loves the conditions and should be watched closely every time the forecast turns grey.

He also has a favourite venue. At Kempton Park, Barenboim has won 2 of his 5 races, and his most recent victory came there as recently as January 2026. That kind of course record matters — some horses simply take to a particular track, whether it is the shape of the bends or the way the surface rides, and Kempton clearly suits him. His ideal trip is somewhere between a mile and three furlongs and a mile and four, which puts him right in the middle-distance bracket where stamina counts and pure speed matters less.

Tom Dascombe's yard at Upper Lambourn has been in fine form this season, sending out 22 winners, which suggests Barenboim is being campaigned by a team with plenty of momentum behind them. His most regular partner in the saddle is Pierre-Louis Jamin, though their record together — 1 win from 9 races — suggests this particular combination has not yet fully clicked. Barenboim raced just yesterday, so he is clearly fit and active, and his recent form of a win, a second, and a fourth in his last handful of outings shows a horse in reasonable nick. Watch for him next time the ground gets heavy and the race is at Kempton.