Good Earth

Trained by Michael Herrington at his yard in Willoughton, Lincolnshire, Good Earth is part of a set-up that clearly knows what it's doing — 33 winners already this season suggests a stable firing on all cylinders. The horse typically competes at Class 4 level, which is mid-tier racing, and has won 4 of 24 races at that grade. That's right in line with its overall numbers, which is actually a good sign: it means Good Earth performs to roughly the same level wherever it goes, rather than flattered by easier company.

The most intriguing entry on its record is Sandown Park. Two wins from just 6 races there makes it a genuine course specialist — that's winning 1 in every 3 visits to a track that plenty of horses never figure out. Whether it's the undulating layout or simply the conditions Sandown tends to produce, something about that place brings out the best in this horse. It's the sort of stat that makes you sit up a little straighter if you see Sandown in the racecard.

Recent form backs up the story. In its last six races, Good Earth has won twice — including a win at Haydock Park just five weeks ago — and also picked up a couple of place finishes. That's 2 wins and 2 places from 6 races, which is as lively a recent record as you'll find from a nine-year-old. The horse raced just yesterday, which tells you everything about how well it's holding up at an age when many have long since retired.

Tom Eaves is the most regular partner in the saddle, with 2 wins from 19 rides together — about 1 in every 10 — which is modest, but the sheer number of rides shows the team keeps coming back to him. Good Earth is a horse that has earned its reputation the hard way, race by race, across four-plus years of competition.