Empirical

The horse last raced just a day ago and won, following a victory at Ayr four weeks earlier. That win on 27 July was Empirical's second career success, and the recent outing suggests the horse is still in good form and active. In its last six races, it has won two and placed twice, which shows genuine consistency in a three-year-old still learning the game. The earlier career breakthrough came at Nottingham in July, so this is a horse that has clicked into gear over the summer.

Ed Walker's yard in Upper Lambourn is one of the stronger training operations, having sent out 76 winners already this season. With that kind of support behind it and a clear preference for the kind of quick, firm ground that makes racing fast and honest, Empirical looks like a horse worth following—especially on days when the sun has been shining and the track is firm underfoot.