Donnie Azoff

The horse's recent form tells an interesting story of rediscovered form. In his last six runs he has won twice, including a victory at Newton Abbot three months ago that came after taking a race at Hereford the month before. Trainer Jamie Snowden, based at Lambourn, has clearly found the right recipe in the autumn months, keeping Donnie Azoff engaged and switched on. Snowden's yard is in excellent form this season with 82 winners already, and Donnie Azoff has become a reliable part of that success — the trainer has said he will campaign the horse while the ground remains firm enough, then give him a winter break before returning for a fresh campaign in spring.

Where Donnie Azoff truly shines is at Stratford-on-Avon, where he has won two of his five races there. That is a win rate that stands out; over a broader sample at Class 4, he wins only roughly one in six times. Jockey Gavin Sheehan, who rides him regularly and has won four races from 18 outings together, noted after one recent outing that Donnie Azoff showed his best side when allowed to lead — there is a touch of strategy there, an acknowledgement that this horse prefers to dictate and settles better when in front. At ten years old, he may not be going to turn into a star, but he is proving he belongs where he is and continues to give his the yard winners.