Freddie Mitchell(3)

This season has been a little tougher than last. His win rate has dipped from roughly 1 in every 8 rides to closer to 1 in every 12, and 14 winners from 161 races reflects a jockey who is getting plenty of opportunities but not yet converting them at his best clip. That said, volume of rides matters at this stage — the more you ride, the more you learn — and Mitchell is clearly trusted enough to fill a full book of work.

The most important relationship in his career so far is with the trainer Gary and Josh Moore, a father-and-son yard with a strong record in jump racing. From 71 rides together they have produced 9 winners — that's roughly 1 in every 8, a notably better return than his overall numbers — which suggests Moore's horses suit his style, or simply that the pair have developed a level of trust that produces results. In jump racing, a jockey-trainer partnership that clicks can be the difference between a good season and a great one.

Mitchell also has a clear fondness for Fontwell Park, the tight, figure-of-eight track in West Sussex that rewards a jockey who can think quickly and ride with instinct. Six winners from 28 races there — more than 1 in every 5 — is a genuinely strong record at a single track, and punters who spot a Mitchell ride at Fontwell have good reason to pay attention.

Perhaps most intriguingly, he appears to relish wet and muddy ground. One winner from seven rides on heavy or soft ground might sound modest, but at 14% it sits above his seasonal average, hinting that he handles difficult conditions better than most at his level. For a young jockey still finding his way, having a specialism — a track you love, conditions that suit you — is exactly the kind of edge that can define a career.