Dr Rio

Jockey Zak Wheatley has been part of the story more than anyone, riding Dr Rio in 26 of his 54 career races and picking up 4 of those wins. That is a win rate of roughly 1 in every 6 rides together, comfortably better than the horse's overall record, which suggests the partnership works. Carroll's yard has been in decent form this season too, sending out 24 winners, so Dr Rio is part of a genuinely productive operation rather than a forgotten stable cast-off.

His preferred conditions are worth knowing. On normal ground, he wins around 1 in every 4 races — 3 from 11 — which is a strong return. He also performs best when the race is run over longer distances, between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, winning 2 of his 8 races at those trips. That combination of good ground and a stamina test seems to bring out the best in him.

The recent form figures — 5-7-8-3-4-5 — show he hasn't visited the winner's enclosure in his last six races, and his overall career tally of 6 wins from 54 races is modest. But context matters. He raced again just yesterday, so he is active and engaged, and most of his racing comes at Class 6 level, the entry point of the sport. At that level, winning 1 in every 8 or 9 races over a long career, with sixteen places alongside the wins, describes a horse that consistently turns up and competes. When Beverley is on the schedule, he is always worth watching.