Inside Man

The most recent run of form is particularly striking. Looking at the last six races, Inside Man has won three of them, finished second twice, and slipped out of the places just once. That is not a horse muddling along — that is a horse near the top of its game. The first career win came at Taunton in December 2023, and since then the horse has built steadily, culminating in a win at Newton Abbot in September 2024. Newton Abbot, tucked into the South Devon countryside, is a tight, turning track that suits a horse that travels smoothly and responds quickly — and Inside Man clearly took to it.

The partnership with jockey David Noonan deserves attention. In seven races together, they have won three times — a win rate of 43%, or roughly winning 3 in every 7. That is a strong number by any measure, suggesting the two have developed a genuine understanding. When Noonan is booked, the record says to pay attention.

Jane Williams trains out of George Nympton in Devon, and the yard has sent out 21 winners already this season — a healthy tally that suggests a stable in good form and one that knows how to place its horses correctly. Williams has kept Inside Man largely at Class 4 level, which sits in the middle tier of British racing — competitive enough to be meaningful, but not the very top shelf. At that level, Inside Man has won 3 from 7, or just over 40% of its races, which is a genuinely impressive record. Horses that win 2 in every 5 races at a consistent level are not easy to find.

The one note of caution is the absence. Inside Man has not raced for around four months, and its last win was roughly seven months ago. A layoff does not mean a horse has gone backwards, but it does introduce an unknown. What happens on its return will tell us a great deal about whether the best of Inside Man is still to come.