First Instinct

At the highest level, competing in Class 1 races against the very best, First Instinct has managed just 1 win from 7 attempts. That one victory came in September 2025 at Newbury, a major track. But the win came nearly a year ago, and since then the horse has failed to shine at that elite standard. Drop it down one level to Class 2, however, and everything changes. It won at Haydock Park in September 2024 and has the kind of record there that suggests it truly belongs in that company. This is a horse that knows where its ceiling is.

What makes First Instinct genuinely interesting is its partnership with jockey Tom Marquand. When the two are paired together, the results are striking: 3 wins from just 6 races, a 50% success rate. That kind of consistency with one rider often signals something real—a natural understanding, a good fit. The horse was trained from the start by William Haggas at Newmarket, whose yard has sent out 170 winners already this season, and First Instinct has thrived under his care since its debut win at Nottingham in August 2024.

Ground conditions appear crucial. On slightly soft or muddy ground, First Instinct has won 2 of its 3 races—a 67% win rate—suggesting it handles wet conditions far better than fast, dry turf. Its recent form over the last six races has been mixed, though it has shown a glimpse of recovery with a second-place finish most recently. This is a capable horse that performs best at Class 2 level on softer ground with Tom Marquand in the saddle—a fairly specific recipe, but one that works.