Mount King

His record at Pontefract is the headline. He has won 4 of his 15 races there — a win rate of roughly 1 in 4 — which is the kind of dominance you simply do not see from a horse who wins only 1 in every 11 times overall. It is not because the races there are easier; it is because the surface suits him. When he gets fast, dry ground anywhere, he wins 3 of every 15 races (20%), which tells you the real Mount King is a horse that thrives on quick, firm footing. His last win came at Pontefract on 17 July, just over three months ago. Since then, he has raced six times without a victory — finishing second, ninth, fifth, sixth, fourth, and ninth. It is a lean spell, but he has raced regularly and is still in the game.

Tim Easterby's yard, based in North Yorkshire, has sent out 128 winners this season, so Mount King sits within a productive operation. His regular jockey David Allan has a 14% win rate with him — 3 wins from 21 races — which is significantly better than Mount King's general average, suggesting they work well together. The horse continues to race, having run just a day ago, so he remains active and available. For anyone looking at his form, the lesson is clear: he is not a horse for soft ground or major races, but when conditions align and Pontefract comes round, Mount King is genuinely tough to beat.