Princess Niyla

What makes Princess Niyla worth watching is where she thrives. On normal ground, she wins roughly 1 in every 7 races — noticeably better than her overall rate — and she has shown particular liking for races over distances between seven furlongs and a mile, where she has won 1 of 7 attempts. Trainer Alan Brown, who runs a modest but active yard at Yedingham in North Yorkshire, has managed her career tactically, choosing spots at Class 5 level where she has won 2 of 20 races. Most of her riding comes from Rowan Scott, though that partnership has generated only 1 win from 11 races together, suggesting the pairing has not quite clicked as either would hope.

At six years old and with just 15 months since her last win, Princess Niyla remains young enough to find another success, though the form of her last six races — mostly finishes outside the places — suggests she may be drifting the wrong way. Brown's yard is sending out winners this season, and if the yard can find her another race on normal ground over the mile or so where she has shown aptitude, she could yet add to her tally.