Encounter

What's encouraging is that Encounter keeps running, and the gaps between defeats are narrow. A second, then a third, then deeper placings, then back to third, then back to second: this is a horse that hasn't fallen apart or been sidelined with injury. S. P. C. Woods, training from Newmarket, runs a yard that has already sent out 24 winners this season, so there's clear expertise behind the scenes. At two years old, Encounter still has time to break through. Many horses don't win until they've had eight, ten, or a dozen races under their belt. The fact that it keeps finishing close suggests the breakthrough could come sooner rather than later.