Lednikov

The most striking thing about Lednikov is what he does at Southwell. Six of his seven career wins have come at that one track — 6 from 19 races there, which works out at nearly 1 in every 3. For context, that is a remarkable ratio for any horse, and it suggests Southwell suits him in a way that goes well beyond coincidence. Whether it is the surface, the shape of the track, or something harder to explain, Lednikov simply goes there and performs. His most recent win came at Southwell just two weeks ago, so he arrives at this stage of the season in form and clearly still enjoying himself.

He does the bulk of his racing at Class 6 level, which is the entry level of British racing, and 6 of his 7 wins have come there — 6 from 35 races at that grade, or roughly 1 in every 6. That tells you he is a horse who has found his level and thrives within it rather than one who has been asked to punch above his weight. At 8 years old, he knows his job.

Elle-May Croot has ridden him more than anyone else, partnering him in 25 of his 45 races and landing 3 of his wins together — winning about 1 in 8 of their shared outings. The yard behind him, Ivan Furtado's operation based in Wiseton in South Yorkshire, has had a productive season with 34 winners sent out. Recent form shows a win, a non-runner, then a few mid-field finishes, but with that Southwell win sitting right at the top of his recent record, Lednikov looks like a horse who still has another day in the sun left in him — probably at the track he knows best.