Free Speech

Most of her racing has come at Class 5 level, the bread-and-butter tier of British racing, where she has won 2 from 12 at a rate of about 1 in 6. Her last victory came at Haydock Park in September 2024, and while she has not won in her last six races, her recent form reads 8-2-6-3-9-2 — two runner-up finishes in that sequence suggest she is competitive and knocking on the door rather than struggling at the back of the field.

She is trained by Sam England, whose yard in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, has sent out 49 winners already this season — a strong output that signals a team in good form. England has been open about what makes Free Speech tick: she wants softer, wetter ground underfoot, and she improved noticeably between her third and fourth year. Her first run of this campaign at Chelmsford was, by England's own admission, needed badly — a fitness run rather than a serious tilt at winning. She raced just one day ago, so she is firmly in the middle of her season.

The next target, conditions permitting, is a race at Kempton on 5 May. England's one caveat is the weather — if the ground stays dry and firm, she may not run there, since she is simply not at her best on fast ground. That is a useful thing to know if you are following her closely. When the rain comes, Free Speech is worth keeping an eye on.