Northern Champion

The horse came to life in the Middle East. His first career win arrived in January 2026 at Meydan, where jockey Kieren Shoemark noted he was "gutsy" and "did a lot wrong and still came out on top" — the kind of comment that reveals character as much as ability. He went on to win again in Dubai before being asked to run in the Al Quoz Sprint, a top-level race that hadn't been the original plan but made sense given the logistical chaos of the time. Trainer Ed Walker describes him as an "improving horse" and a "cool horse," the kind of praise that carries genuine weight when it comes from a yard as successful as Upper Lambourn, which has sent out 76 winners already this season.

Back in Britain, Northern Champion showed his best form on normal ground conditions, winning three of five races on that surface — a 60 percent win rate that stands out sharply against his overall record. His most recent win came at Chester two months ago, and while his form dipped in his last three outings (including that eighth-place finish just a day ago), Walker has clear targets in mind, with the Commonwealth Cup among his long-term ambitions. For a three-year-old still finding his way, Northern Champion has the foundation of a decent racehorse and the backing of a trainer who believes there is genuine improvement still to come.