The Flier Begley

The recent form tells a compelling story. Two wins from the last six races, including back-to-back victories in January and April of this year, both in Class 2 races — which puts them among the better races in Britain. Winning one of those at that level would be noteworthy. Winning two in the space of three months, at eleven, is genuinely remarkable. Most horses of this age are winding down. The Flier Begley appears to be peaking.

Gary Hanmer's yard in Tattenhall, Cheshire has been in fine form this season, sending out 19 winners, and this horse is clearly part of the reason why. When jockey Jack Hogan is in the saddle, the results are striking: 5 wins from just 10 races together, meaning they win half the time they team up. That is an extraordinary partnership by any measure, and any race where Hogan is booked should attract serious attention.

The Flier Begley also has a particular affinity for Market Rasen, winning 2 of its 4 races there — a course that clearly suits the way it runs. On slightly soft ground the numbers are even more eye-catching: 2 wins from 4 races, a 50% win rate that suggests the horse genuinely thrives when there is a bit of give underfoot. On normal ground the record is solid too, winning 3 from 11. What this horse does not typically do is operate at its best in Class 3 company, winning just 1 from 6 at that level — which actually makes sense. It seems to find an extra gear when the quality of the race rises to meet it.

Having raced just one day ago and still active, this is a horse in the middle of its season, trained by a yard firing on all cylinders, with a jockey partnership that works brilliantly. At an age when most racehorses are retired, The Flier Begley is winning big races and making its presence felt.