Lunario

What makes Lunario worth watching is his preference for fast, dry ground. When conditions suit him, he becomes noticeably better: he has won four of his twelve races on those surfaces, a rate of one win in every three races. By contrast, on normal ground he drops to two wins from eight attempts. His last victory came at Ascot on 11 July, two months ago, which was his most recent trip to the winner's circle. That win at Ascot, one of Britain's most famous tracks, sits at the top of his resume and suggests he can perform at a decent level when everything clicks.

Trainer Luke Dace, based at Billingshurst in West Sussex, sends him out regularly, often with jockey Jack Dace in the saddle — the two have combined for two wins from twelve races together, matching Lunario's overall win rate. The yard has produced six winners this season, which is modest but steady. At Class 4 level, where Lunario typically competes, he has won two of nine races, a respectable twenty-two percent win rate for that grade. He is the kind of horse that gives his the yard something to work with on the right day: fast ground, a decent ride, and a suitable race, and Lunario is capable of justifying the effort.