Hot to Trot: John back to Best

Flat trainer: John Best

John Best saddled 35 winners in 2015, the same amount that he managed in 2010 and 2007, yet 10 fewer than the 45 he totalled back in 2004. His number of winners last season was good, but what really stands out when looking at his statistics is his strike-rate, which was at 17%, significantly higher than his norm. Best is only operating at 10% currently in 2016, with 11 winners so far, but he has really hit form in August, operating at a strike-rate of 20%, and having four of his 11 winners coming in the month. His most interesting entrant next week is Glenys The Menace, who improved off the back of a 10-week break to win on her nursery debut at Lingfield last time. She has been put up just 4 lb in the weights for that win, and with the step up to seven furlongs set to suit (by American Post and out of a miler), she should have a good chance of providing the yard with another winner.

Jumps trainer: Dr Richard Newland

Grand National-winning trainer Dr Richard Newland has once again enjoyed a successful jumps campaign over the summer, and has saddled two winners and two placed runners from his nine chances in the last fortnight. No Win No Fee looked to have been handed a stiff opening mark based on two starts in August, but he has been eased slightly in the weights and may well be more competitive in the two-mile handicap hurdle he is entered in at Worcester on Tuesday. Trafalgar Rock is another interesting entrant for the yard on the same card. A recruit from the Flat (formerly with Mark Johnston), he won his first two starts for Newland – including at Worcester – before doing too much too soon at Sedgefield last time. Effective at two miles on the Flat, he looks set to run well upped in trip over hurdles next week.

Under the radar: Iain Jardine

Iain Jardine’s yard has continued to go from strength to strength over the last few years on the Flat. He saddled just four winners in 2013, but is currently on a total of 25 in 2016. Nine of those winners came in August, and it is definitely worth keeping his runners on side as we head into the autumn. Jardine has built up something of a reputation of improving horses arriving from other yards, and with just seven starts for him so far, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were more to come from Eastern Dragon, who has already picked up one win for his new connections and is entered over 10 furlongs at York on Sunday. Eastern Dragon has been running well over nine furlongs, and is worth another try over this extra furlong for his new yard.