Watchdog

The horse broke through for his first win at Newcastle back in December, but the real story is what has happened since. His record over the past half-dozen outings reads 1-6-1-1-8-4, which tells you he has been genuinely competitive: two wins, two second-place finishes, and the only really poor run was an eighth place. That consistency, especially at this stage of his career, is a sign the trainer knows how to get him into the right races. Richard and Peter Fahey, who operate from Musley Bank in Yorkshire, have sent out 23 winners this season, and Watchdog looks like he may yet contribute more to that tally.

The one cautionary note is that Watchdog has failed to win any of his three races at the highest Class 5 level, but that tells you the Faheys are being smart with him — they are not stretching him beyond his ceiling, and they keep him winning at races where he can compete. A horse that wins 1 in every 3 races, races regularly, and shows up with a winner just this week is exactly the kind of improving three-year-old worth keeping an eye on.