Dunkerque

The horse thrives on normal ground conditions, winning 5 of 9 races (a 56% success rate) when the track is neither rock-hard nor waterlogged. He pairs best with jockey Sean Quinlan, who has piloted him to victory twice from five rides together — a 40% return that speaks to real understanding between horse and rider. After his win at Southwell, Quinlan described the kind of ride that sets top partnerships apart: racing in heavy traffic, unsure where Dunkerque was in the pack, then watching him rally and surge past to win. Quinlan noted that while the horse needs an experienced hand early on, the further the race went, the better Dunkerque jumped — a sign of genuine quality and stamina. Candlish's Basford yard has sent out 64 winners this season, and Dunkerque has become one of its standout performers, a Danish import who has quickly proven he belongs at this level.