Trilby

Beverley is Trilby's spiritual home. He has won two of his four races at the course, most recently on 29 August, six weeks ago. That recent victory underlines a horse that is still active and competitive, though his form over his last six races—two wins, two places, and two running unplaced—shows the uneven progress of a middle-distance sprinter now climbing the weights. Joe Fanning has partnered him for three of those eight wins from fourteen rides together, a 21% win rate that suggests a real understanding between jockey and horse.

England, based at Guiseley in Yorkshire, notes that Trilby shows little flash at home—he is remarkably laid-back for a sprinter—yet this calmness has worked in his favour. A horse that saves himself for the race rather than burning energy in the paddock has longevity. The trainer has called him a great horse for the yard, adding that anything else he wins is a bonus. With soft ground the holy grail for any chance and autumn and winter looming, Trilby's next winning opportunity could be closer than it seems.