Lilly Pinchin

The headline moment of her career so far came at Cheltenham, where she won a Class 1 race — one of the top races in Britain. Cheltenham is the sport's most demanding stage, the kind of place that separates riders with genuine ability from those just filling a saddle. Winning there at any level means something. Winning at the top level means considerably more, and it's a result that will follow her name for years.

Her most reliable working relationship is with trainer Charlie Longsdon, and the numbers there are striking. From 59 rides together they've produced 10 winners — a win rate of 17%, or nearly 1 in every 6. That's well above her overall average and suggests the two have developed a genuine understanding of how to place her well and get the best out of the horses she rides. In a sport where trust between trainer and jockey is everything, 59 rides together is a significant vote of confidence.

Then there's Molto Bene. Three wins from 13 races together might not sound like a domination, but in jump racing, finding a horse that consistently performs for you is rare and worth holding onto. That partnership has a rhythm to it that goes beyond coincidence.

One detail worth noting for anyone watching her this winter: Pinchin rides particularly well on wet or muddy ground, winning 3 from 14 races in those conditions — a 21% win rate, or better than 1 in every 5. In a British jump racing season, where soft and heavy ground is the norm from November onwards, that's not a small edge. She is, in short, a jockey whose best racing is likely still ahead of her — and who already has a Cheltenham winner on her record to prove she belongs at the top.