Red Mirage

His best moment came in May 2022 when, ridden by David Probert, he won a top-level Class 2 race at Chester. Probert's account captures what Red Mirage can do on his day: the horse broke cleanly from the gate, got a bit wound up racing forward, but then settled and found a real turn of foot when asked, pointing his toe out nicely to the line. That victory came just three weeks after his maiden win at Chelmsford, suggesting a horse that had finally clicked into gear. It has not happened since. He has managed just one win in nearly three years and seems particularly vulnerable at Class 4 level, where he has failed to win in 12 attempts.

Trainer John and Sean Quinn, based in Norton, North Yorkshire, have a productive yard and clearly see something in Red Mirage worth persisting with — the horse has been in their care for years and continues to race regularly. Jason Hart, his most frequent partner in the saddle, has won twice from 17 rides together (a 12% win rate), slightly better than the horse's overall record but not by much. At this stage of his career, Red Mirage is a horse you might fancy at decent odds on a day when the form lines work in his favour, but he is unlikely to be the answer to any real questions. He remains a battler rather than a prospect.