Independent Expert

The difference between her good days and her ordinary ones hinges on ground conditions. On wet or muddy terrain, she wins 2 from 5 races (40 percent)—a win rate that stands out sharply against her overall record. Over the mile to a mile and a quarter, where the pace is steadier and the test of stamina counts, she has won 5 of 20 races (25 percent). At Naas specifically, she is a course specialist, thriving there at a rate of 2 wins from 5 races. Her trainer Jim and Suzi Best, based at Lewes in East Sussex, have found that the "stiff mile" suits her temperament—she is, by their account, tough, honest, and genuine, a filly who doesn't require excessive work to be ready but runs best when fresh.

She was ridden in victory at Naas by Joey, who gave her a patient ride, allowing the pace to develop before asking her to stay on over the closing furlongs. With jockey Andrew Slattery, her most frequent partner, she has won 4 of 30 races together. However, Independent Expert has not found the winner's enclosure in her last six outings, most recently finishing sixth just a day ago. At seven years old and still racing actively, she remains a horse worth following on soft ground at a mile when conditions and draw align in her favour.