Creciente

Millman, whose yard in Kentisbeare, Devon has sent out 40 winners this season, has an interesting backstory attached to this horse: she was bought specifically to replace a previous stable favourite called Crystal Casque, and he's candid about the pressure that brings. Big boots to fill, as he puts it. But rather than being fazed by the comparison, the signs so far suggest Creciente is settling into the role comfortably enough — she's described as straightforward and easy to train, which matters more than it might sound. Horses that give their team no trouble at home tend to be more consistent on the track, and consistency is exactly what's needed when you're building towards something.

That something appears to be a nursery race at Newbury, one of Britain's most respected tracks. She heads there with a rating of 66, which essentially tells you where the handicapper thinks she sits in the pecking order — competitive at this level, but with room to prove more. Most of her races so far have come at Class 5, the entry-level tier of British racing, so stepping onto a bigger stage at Newbury will be a genuine test. If she handles it well, the comparison to Crystal Casque might start to feel a little less daunting.