Novelista

The performance speaks to trainer Warren Greatrex's patience and eye for improvement. Greatrex, who runs a strong yard at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire and has sent out 50 winners this season, appears to have found Novelista's sweet spot—long-distance racing over two miles or more. Over that trip, the horse has won 1 of its 4 races, a 25% win rate that towers above its overall record of 1 win from 15 races. It's clear that distance suits Novelista's running style in a way the shorter races do not.

Since that September victory, however, Novelista has found winning elusive again. It has raced six times without securing another win, though the form has been steady rather than dire—two places in that stretch suggest it remains competitive. Raced just yesterday, Novelista is clearly still an active part of Greatrex's plans. At four years old and with a single top-level win on the board, there remains genuine reason to believe another breakthrough could be coming, particularly if the yard keeps it at distance and at the better class of race where it has shown genuine ability.