Cristo

His story really started to take shape in April 2025, when he won for the first time at Chelmsford. Hannon noted at the time that Cristo had grown into himself and was beginning to look the part — a trainer's way of saying the penny had finally dropped. He mentioned the horse was well-placed in the ratings, had more ability than he had shown, and suggested there were plenty more wins to come. That turned out to be accurate. Cristo has now won twice at Chelmsford from only three visits, which is an extraordinary return. Most horses run at a track a dozen times and never win there at all. To win 2 from 3 is the sort of record that makes you sit up.

The distance matters too. Cristo is at his best over a mile and three furlongs to a mile and four — he has won 2 of his 7 races at those trips, a win rate of 29%. That is nearly 1 in 3, which is exceptional. Hannon's comment that he could get further than a mile looks well-founded. On normal ground, he is equally reliable, winning 2 of his 10 races in those conditions — 1 in every 5.

Most recently, Cristo won at Sandown Park just last week, which was his latest step forward in what is shaping up to be a good season. Sean Levey has ridden him in 7 of his races, winning once together, but the bigger picture is that Cristo keeps showing up and performing. He races mainly at Class 4 level — solid, competitive racing — and Hannon's operation has been in fine form, sending out 118 winners this season alone. Cristo is not the yard's star, but he is exactly the kind of reliable, improving horse that good stables are built on.