Duc de Kent

He broke through for his first win at Epsom Downs in September, then struck again this week at Redcar in early October. Winning twice in the space of three weeks shows he has genuine form, and he is clearly in a good place right now under trainer Ian Williams, whose Portway yard in Worcestershire has been prolific this season with 96 winners. The timing matters: a horse that has just won is a horse worth watching.

The real clue to Duc de Kent's strengths is his record at distance. Over the longer races — from a mile and six furlongs up to two miles — he has won two of his three attempts, a 67% win rate that is genuinely impressive. He clearly enjoys the extended trip and has the stamina to make it count. That is where to expect him to be at his best. Against that, he has failed to win at the highest level of racing he has attempted: in three Class 1 or 2 races, he has not won once. He belongs in slightly easier company, and that is exactly where his recent victories have come. For now, at least, Duc de Kent is a horse on form and firing at the right targets.