Roc de Fer

The horse clearly thrives on normal ground conditions, which matters more than it sounds. On a standard track, Roc de Fer has won 2 of 5 races — a 40 per cent win rate, double his overall average. That kind of preference is gold dust for a trainer, because it means you know exactly when to run him and when to hold off. His two career wins came in quick succession at Southwell and Wolverhampton in late July, which showed he could string victories together when conditions and opportunities aligned.

Sir Mark Prescott, who trains from Newmarket, has got 47 winners out of his yard this season, so Roc de Fer is part of a genuinely hot operation. Prescott is not the type to overhype a horse, which suggests quiet confidence about this one's potential. The fact that Roc de Fer raced just yesterday means he is actively in the firing line — no sitting around waiting for the perfect race.

His recent form reads 3-2-1-1-3-4 over the last six outings, which shows consistency more than dominance. He is placing regularly but not winning as often as you might hope. Still, at three years old, there is time for him to improve, and on good ground with the right race, Roc de Fer looks capable of adding to his tally sooner rather than later.