Verhoyen

What's most revealing about Verhoyen is its connection to particular conditions and distances. On normal ground, the horse comes alive: three wins from 16 races at that going (19%) suggests it has found its groove on the type of surfaces that suit its running style. Over distances between seven furlongs and a mile, Verhoyen shows its best form too, with four wins from 26 races at that range (15%). That combination — normal ground, middle distances — is where the yard should be targeting this horse if they want to see it finish ahead rather than somewhere in the placings.

The trainer M C Grassick, based at The Curragh in Ireland, has done a steady job with Verhoyen over its many campaigns. The yard has sent out six winners already this season, and Lee has been the horse's most frequent partner in the saddle, riding it in 21 races and winning three of those (14%). Recent form shows a win followed by a string of mid-field efforts, which is typical for a horse of this age and experience level — success comes in flashes, separated by stretches where it runs without troubling the judge. That Verhoyen is still active and capable of delivering results like the Laytown win suggests it still has something left to offer.