Court Cian

That long break is the big talking point. Court Cian last raced on 4 March 2025 at Market Rasen, where it found the winner's circle for the third time in its career. Now returning after 364 days, it will need to shake off the ring rust and rediscover its rhythm. The good news is that recent form before the break was solid: in its final six races, the horse won three of them, including efforts at Class 4 level where it has a 33 per cent win rate (2 wins from 6). That's the sort of win rate that points to a horse comfortable at this grade.

Stuart Edmunds trains Court Cian from Stewkley in Buckinghamshire, and his yard is in healthy shape this season with 26 winners already to its name. Jockey Ciaran Gethings has been the primary pilot, though the partnership has yielded only 1 win from 6 races together—a modest return that doesn't quite capture the horse's recent upturn. How Court Cian responds to time off will matter hugely. If it bounces back quickly and conditions suit, there's every reason to think it can pick up where it left off. If the year away has taken a toll, it may take a race or two to find its feet again.