Robusto

Eve Johnson Houghton's Blewbury yard is having a strong season with 42 winners already, and Robusto plays a useful part in that tally. He showed genuine promise just four weeks ago when he won at Leicester on 9 August, proving he still has the ability to get his head in front when conditions suit. His recent form has been patchy—two wins from his last six races—but jockey Luke Morris, who has ridden him six times, has won twice in the saddle, a 33 per cent win rate that suggests there is a real partnership developing there. Lingfield Park is Robusto's happy hunting ground, where he has won 2 of his 6 races, a sign that this particular track brings out the best in him.

The horse has had a minor setback—a bang to a joint kept him sidelined—but Johnson Houghton had him back in action within weeks, suggesting it was nothing serious. For a horse of Robusto's age and experience, that kind of quick turnaround is exactly what you want to see. He is not a star in the making, but he is a useful, battle-hardened campaigner who knows his business and wins his share of races at the level he competes. Punters and casual observers alike can expect more of the same: consistent runs, regular place finishes, and the occasional surprise victory when he gets the right conditions and the right partner in the saddle.