Grant Wood

What makes Grant Wood tick is firm, normal ground. On fast, dry conditions, he has won four times from twelve races — that is one win in every three races — a rate that drops sharply elsewhere. This tells you something important about how he runs: he needs proper racing ground, not soft or muddy going, to show his best. Paul Midgley, his trainer at Westow in North Yorkshire, knows his horse inside out. Midgley explained that Grant Wood had a setback after running at Haydock in May and took time to recover, but has returned in good form and is galloping well. The trainer also noted that his horse is honest and genuine, genuine praise in racing terms — it means he gives his all every time he steps out, even when circumstances aren't perfect.

The jockey David Nolan has ridden Grant Wood to four wins from nineteen races together, a 21 percent win rate, which is notably better than the horse's overall record. That partnership suggests Nolan knows how to get the best from him. What stands out is the long drought: Grant Wood has not won in his last six races, though he came third just a day ago, which means he is still competitive and still trying. At seven years old and competing mostly at Class 4 level — the bread-and-butter tier of racing — he may be past his peak, but horses like this, the genuine ones who stay sound and keep running, often have a big day left in them. A return to Newcastle on normal ground could easily be that day.