Thickthorn Tom

What makes Thickthorn Tom genuinely interesting is how specific his strengths have become. He is an absolute specialist at Newton Abbot, winning 2 of his 3 races there, including a win just this week on 27 August. That course suits him — he clearly enjoys it. He also has a strong preference for normal ground conditions, winning half his races (2 from 4) when the track is in standard order, which suggests he may struggle if things get wet or unusually fast. The one clear weakness in his record is racing in Class 4 — one level below where he has been competing — where he has drawn a blank in 4 attempts. This hints that he may be better suited to slightly lower-grade company, which is no insult; finding your level is what separates the dependable horses from the ones that bang their heads against the wrong ceiling.

Skelton's yard, based in Alcester, Warwickshire, has sent out 198 winners this season and clearly knows how to keep a horse in form. Thickthorn Tom's recent trajectory — three straight wins, four victories in his last six outings — suggests Skelton has found exactly the right races and surfaces for him. He is the kind of horse that works because everyone around him understands what he does well and keeps him doing it.