Paul Midgley

Nottingham has become something of a home away from home for Midgley. Seven winners from 26 runners at that track is a remarkable record — that is more than 1 in every 4 runners turning into a winner, which is the kind of conversion rate that gets other trainers and punters paying close attention. Whether it is his preparation, his eye for the right race, or simply a knack for reading that particular track, Midgley clearly has Nottingham figured out in a way few of his rivals do.

His most trusted ally in the saddle is jockey David Nolan, and their partnership is one worth watching. Ten wins from 117 rides together — roughly 1 in every 12 — might look modest on paper, but 117 rides represents a deep and well-tested working relationship. When a trainer keeps putting the same jockey up race after race, it means there is real communication happening. They understand each other, and that counts for a lot.

Where Midgley really catches the eye is on wet, muddy ground. Three wins from just 17 races in those conditions gives him a win rate of 18% — nearly 1 in every 5 — which is double his overall average. That is not luck. That points to a trainer who understands which horses handle testing ground and is selective about when to run them, rather than just throwing them in and hoping for the best.

Still only four years into the job, Midgley is very much a trainer on the way up. The numbers do not scream and shout, but they tell a consistent story: a yard that places its horses well, keeps winning, and is building a reputation one race at a time.