High Game Royal

That sole career win came at Chepstow back in April 2023, and at 38 months ago it is starting to feel like a distant memory. He typically lines up in Class 4 races — the solid, workmanlike middle tier of the sport — and has won just 1 of his 9 races at that level. But the recent form gives genuine reason for optimism. His last six runs read 4-3-3-4-4-2, which is a sequence full of near-misses rather than defeats. He is knocking on the door persistently, just not quite pushing it open.

What sharpens the picture is something his trainer said after a recent run at Warwick, where High Game Royal came home second on his first attempt over fences — a significant step up in the demands placed on a horse. The trainer had genuine concerns beforehand: it was a competitive field, plenty of runners, and a new challenge entirely. High Game Royal answered every question. The front two pulled clear, yes, but he ran with real credit, and the handicapper only nudged him up 4lb for the effort — meaning he goes into his next race barely any worse off on paper than he was before. That's the kind of run that keeps a trainer quietly confident.

Ben Jones has been in the saddle for six of his races, winning once together — roughly 1 in every 6 — which is a decent partnership at this level. High Game Royal raced just one day ago, so he is very much in the thick of things right now. Whether he can finally add a second win to his record remains to be seen, but with consistent placing and a promising recent run under his belt, it would be no great surprise if he did.