McMurray

The standout pattern in McMurray's record is almost unfair. On normal ground conditions—the kind you get most of the year—the horse is unbeaten: 3 wins from 3 races, a perfect record. That kind of consistency on a particular surface is the sort of thing trainers build their plans around. Those wins include a breakthrough victory at Ffos Las back in August and, most recently, success at Chester in May. There's a real sense that McMurray knows what it's doing at that level, even if the absence of a win in the last five months suggests the horse might be ready for a fresh challenge or a change of scenery.

George Boughey, based at Newmarket, trains McMurray and runs one of the country's most prolific yards—99 winners already this season is serious firepower. Boughey clearly sees something in this horse worth developing further. According to the trainer, McMurray is straightforward and brings a genuinely good attitude to the work, the kind of temperament that makes a horse easy to train and fun to be around. With that in mind, Boughey has his sights set on the Royal Mile at Musselburgh, a race that would be a significant step up in competition. It's the kind of move a trainer makes when they believe their horse has outgrown easier company.