Outmaster

Nicholls picked him up at the sales shortly after Outmaster had won a point-to-point — an amateur jumping race held in fields, essentially the grassroots of the sport. The trainer was candid about it: he wasn't entirely sure how much that form was worth, since point-to-point results can be hard to read. But he liked what he saw in the horse itself, and so far Outmaster has given him no reason to doubt the decision.

What makes this particularly worth watching is the yard he comes from. Nicholls' operation at Ditcheat is one of the most powerful in the country, and this season alone they have already sent out 91 winners. When a yard like that bothers to run a horse twice in quick succession at the same track and it wins both times, that tells you they're finding out what they have — and what they appear to have is something promising. Two from two isn't a fluke. It's a very tidy start.