Jack Nicholls(5)

His most important working relationship is with trainer K R Burke, and the numbers back up why that partnership keeps getting booked. Eight wins from 76 races together works out at roughly 1 in every 9 — not far above his overall average, but the volume tells the story. Seventy-six rides is a serious body of trust from one yard, and Burke clearly rates him enough to keep putting him on horses that matter.

The most interesting number in his profile is what happens when the sun comes out. On fast, dry ground, Nicholls wins 8 from 50 races — that's 16%, or roughly 1 in 6. Compare that to his overall rate of 1 in every 10 and you can see the difference clearly. Whether it's his style, his timing, or simply the types of horses he gets booked for in those conditions, dry ground brings out something extra. It's the kind of pattern that trainers and owners notice when they're deciding who to call.

The "(5)" beside his name means he claims a 5-pound weight allowance — a small reduction in the weight his horse carries, granted to apprentice jockeys to help them compete while they're learning. It's an advantage that shrinks as a jockey rides more winners, so there's a clock ticking. Nicholls will want to keep building his record before that allowance disappears and he has to prove himself on a level playing field. On the evidence of the last 12 months, he looks well set to do exactly that.