Sterling Knight

His recent form tells a story of a horse still capable of winning at a decent level. Three months ago, in May, he won at Newmarket on the Rowley Mile, a significant achievement for any horse. Dunlop described him as a "magnificent servant" for his owners, the Turf Club 2024, and noted that Sterling Knight has won on both of Newmarket's courses. Since that victory, however, form has been patchy: his last six races show a win, then places and higher placings that suggest he is finding life tougher. Last time out, just a day ago, he finished seventh, which indicates he is being kept active and is still racing regularly.

Where Sterling Knight really comes alive is in the hands of jockey David Probert, who has partnered him to 2 wins from 6 races together — a 33 percent win rate that towers above his overall average. Dunlop clearly believes in the horse's ability to pop up and win a decent race on turf with some cut in the ground, and his preference for slightly softer conditions is both a strength and a limiting factor; he will not fire on fast, dry ground. At seven, Sterling Knight is entering his later years as a racehorse, but he remains active and a genuine threat whenever he gets the ground he likes and the race profile suits.