No Retreat

Trainer George Scott, based at Newmarket's historic racing heartland, has sent out 52 winners this season alone, so he knows a capable horse when he sees one. And he has been saying for some time that No Retreat is one. Back in April 2024, Scott described him as "potentially a nice horse" — the kind of quietly confident assessment trainers tend to reserve for animals they genuinely believe in rather than just manage. His preferred distance of seven furlongs to a mile appears to suit him well: he has won 1 from 3 at those trips, a hit rate of roughly 1 in every 3 races, which is considerably better than his overall record suggests.

What makes No Retreat genuinely compelling viewing is a story from Windsor that Scott has spoken about publicly. The horse quickened smartly to win his race — then apparently decided the finish line was something to be avoided rather than crossed. He lurched sideways, spotted the line, went right to avoid stepping on it, then went left, leaving his jockey — and presumably the crowd — somewhere between baffled and amused. Scott, to his credit, said he felt for everyone who had backed him. It is exactly the sort of incident that makes racing simultaneously maddening and brilliant.

His recent form figures — 7-21-26-3-2-1, reading from most recent backwards — tell a tale of a horse that ran well, won, then lost his way somewhat. The 3rd and 2nd just before that Meydan victory show he was in form and building nicely; the subsequent outings in 21st and 26th suggest something has not clicked since. He raced just one day ago, meaning he is firmly in the thick of his campaign right now. Whether the real No Retreat — the one who quickens and wins — can be coaxed back out again is the question. George Scott, at least, seems to think it is worth asking.