Zavateri

The horse's recent form tells a story of a young talent hitting his stride. After winning on debut at Salisbury in June by two and a half lengths—a performance that caught trainer Eve Johnson Houghton's eye immediately—he has picked up two wins in his last six races, including that Goodwood victory just days ago. He has become something of a specialist at Goodwood, winning two of three races there, which suggests he has an affinity for the track that could prove valuable going forward.

Johnson Houghton, who trains from her Blewbury yard in Oxfordshire, has been unstinting in her praise. She describes Zavateri as "the most lovely horse" and notes that he has grown considerably since his debut, showing the kind of physical development that often precedes another leap in performance. The trainer has also observed that he wants further than the distances he has been running, a detail that could unlock yet another level as he matures. With jockey Charles Bishop in the saddle for most of his races, Zavateri has won four of six—a 67 per cent win rate that suggests an unusually effective partnership. Bishop's tactical skill came to the fore in one recent race where, facing a situation with no obvious plan, he simply sorted it out himself and got the job done. That is the mark of a jockey and a horse working in genuine harmony.