Hot Cash

What makes Hot Cash worth watching right now is that his trainer, Jack Channon, has bigger ambitions. The West Ilsley yard is firing—46 winners this season—and Channon has entered Hot Cash in the Derby, a Group 1 race and one of the most prestigious in the sport. That is a bold move for a horse with just two wins to its name. The logic is straightforward: Hot Cash showed enough early promise to deserve a crack at trials and potentially the big one, even if the road is uncertain. If he rises to that level, wonderful; if not, Channon will build him back up over time. It is the kind of calculated gamble that keeps racing interesting.

But there is a sting in the recent form. Hot Cash hasn't won in his last six races, finishing fourth, second, tenth, tenth, eighth, and second in his most recent outings. He raced just a day ago, which means he is active and still being aimed at something. The gap of 15 months between his last win and the one before tells its own story—long runs without victory test a horse's confidence and a trainer's patience. Still, the Class 4 record and his proven ability over seven furlongs to a mile remain his calling cards. If Channon can get him back into that sweet spot, Hot Cash might surprise a few people yet.