Nariko

The partnership between Nariko and jockey Oisin Murphy tells the real story. In six races together, Murphy has steered the horse to four wins — a win rate of two wins in every three races. When that combination is in the saddle, Nariko performs like a different animal. It is the kind of rapport that doesn't happen by accident, and trainer Hugo Palmer, based at Malpas in Cheshire, clearly sees something in the pairing.

Recent form has been patchy, though: Nariko's last six races have yielded just one win (a third-place finish two months ago) and a handful of lower placings. That fourteen-month gap between the Hamilton victory and anything resembling a win is a long drought for a horse with Nariko's ability. The horse is active again and was last seen just a day ago, which means it is back in work and being given another chance to rediscover that form. For a horse that has shown the capability to win at Class 2 and dominates at Class 4, there is unfinished business here — and the Palmer yard, which has sent out 67 winners already this season, will be keen to get Nariko back into the winner's circle where it belongs.