It's Debatable

Trained by Edward Bethell at Middleham in North Yorkshire, It's Debatable is part of a yard that has been in fine form this season — 61 winners sent out already, which is the kind of output that tells you this is a serious, well-organised operation. Bethell has built a strong reputation at Middleham, one of British racing's traditional training centres, and a horse moving through his hands in improving form is worth paying attention to.

With a race just yesterday, It's Debatable is right in the thick of its season. The big question is whether those consecutive second-place finishes are the sign of a horse knocking on the door, or one that finds a way to get beaten when it matters. The honest answer is that four races is too small a sample to know — but the direction of travel is good, and a first win feels more like a matter of when than if.