Prince Of India

His best work comes at Newmarket, where he has won twice from four races, a win rate of 50 percent. That kind of dominance at a single track is rare and suggests he either suits the layout or responds well to the particular conditions there. His most recent victory came this week at Newmarket on 22 August, which is an excellent sign of current form. He won two top-level Class 2 races back-to-back in July and August — the Newmarket (July) on 10 July and a race at Ascot on 9 August — which shows he can mix it with stronger opposition when conditions suit him.

Dry ground is his ally. He wins on firm or fast-ground conditions at a rate of 43 percent, almost three wins from seven races, compared with his overall record. That consistency on good ground is something punters and the yard will watch closely; track the weather before a race and you can predict his likely form. Marco Ghiani, who rides him most often, has won two of six races aboard him, a 33 percent win rate — a strong partnership that may yet yield more victories. His recent form has been mixed — a win followed by a second-place finish, then a tenth, a fourth, and another second — which suggests he is competitive but not yet reliably dominant.

Botti's Newmarket yard is in excellent health with 45 winners sent out this season, so Prince Of India is part of a stable in good form. At the right track, in the right conditions, with the right horse underneath him, this one can win races.