Marbuzet

Easterby's operation is in outstanding form, having sent out 138 winners this season alone, and Marbuzet fits the profile of what that yard does well: tough, consistent, and built for the long haul. Easterby has described him as "a grand little staying horse" — high praise in its plainness — who handles the pressure of racing regularly and keeps finding a way to be competitive.

Distance is where Marbuzet really makes his case. Over the longer trips, between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, he has won 7 of 26 races — more than 1 in every 4. That is all 7 of his career wins coming at those distances, which tells you everything about where his stamina takes over and his class comes into its own. He also has a marked preference for the ground to be dry and fast, winning 3 from 11 races (27%) in those conditions, though he handles slightly soft ground almost as well — 2 wins from just 6 races, a win rate of 33%.

His most recent win came at Chester in September 2025, around five months ago now, and his last six runs read 4-2-1-5-7-2 — three finishes inside the top two. Chester is a tight, unusual track that suits a horse with stamina, and it is no coincidence that Easterby had his eye on a prestigious Chester race when talking about the horse's future plans. Regular partner David Allan, who has ridden him in 20 of his 41 races and won 3 of them together, knows this horse well.

Marbuzet is returning now after a five-month break, which is worth noting. He comes back with a clear recent record of form, a ground preference that makes him predictable to place, and a trainer who clearly has a plan for him. He will never headline a big festival, but in his own lane he is exceptionally good at what he does.