Zamond

The recent form makes for interesting reading. Working backwards through the last six races, the sequence reads 8-2-8-4-1-2 — meaning two big defeats sandwiching a win, and then beaten again before another runner-up finish at the end. It is the kind of form that keeps you guessing. The win in that sequence came at Sedgefield on 30 September 2025, and while that was eight months ago, Zamond raced just yesterday, so this is very much a horse in active training with more chapters still to write.

The key to unlocking Zamond's best has generally been normal ground conditions — not too wet, not too firm. All three wins have come on standard ground, from 18 races on similar conditions, giving a win rate of 17%, or roughly 1 in every 6 races in those circumstances. Put Zamond on wet or muddy ground and the record drops away sharply. Ground condition is not a minor detail here — it is probably the single most important factor when assessing Zamond's chances.

The partnership with jockey Brian Hughes is worth noting. In 16 races together, Hughes has guided Zamond to all three career wins — a win rate of 19%, or nearly 1 in every 5. That is almost double Zamond's overall average, which suggests the combination genuinely works. When you see Hughes booked, it is a meaningful signal rather than a coincidence. The trainer behind all of this is Donald McCain, whose yard at Cholmondeley in Cheshire has sent out 55 winners already this season — a prolific operation that clearly knows how to keep horses like Zamond in form deep into their careers.

Zamond tends to race at Class 5 level, which is the bread-and-butter end of the sport — competitive but not the highest tier. Two wins from 16 races at that level, a win rate of 12%, suggests this is roughly the right grade. Not a horse that dominates, but one that earns its place and, on the right day and the right ground with Hughes aboard, still knows how to win.