Soldante

His most recent form shows a horse grinding away without drama. Over his last six outings, he has finished in the money in four of them, with a sequence reading fifth, third, first, third, third, and fourth—the kind of steady catalogue you see from a dependable middle-distance performer. He raced just yesterday, which means Ciaran Murphy's yard, based near Mullingar in County Westmeath, is keeping him busy and sound. Murphy's stable has already sent out 18 winners this season, suggesting a trainer who knows how to keep his older horses competitive and fit.

E Walsh has been Soldante's regular jockey, partnering him in nine races and sharing in that one career win—the same win rate as the horse himself. There is nothing remarkable in their record together, but they clearly have a working relationship. For a horse of Soldante's modest winning record and his age, that consistency of partnership is worth noting. He is the kind of runner you might back for each-way value rather than outright victory, the type who shows up, usually finishes in the mix, and occasionally gets his head in front when the handicap and the ground fall right.