Jonathan Meredith faces the total collapse of his social and familial stability following a transformative encounter with a girl named Iris during a Greek holiday. Seeking an escape from the wreckage of his former life, Jonathan retreats to the company of his friend Peter, a jockey with professional aspirations to win the National. The narrative follows Jonathan as he redirects his focus toward the high-stakes world of horse racing, finding a sense of purpose in the training of a particularly difficult animal. The story examines the friction between adolescent rebellion and the rigid expectations of his upbringing, framed through a lens of personal displacement and the search for identity.

Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to balance the internal turmoil of the protagonist with the external demands of the equestrian world. Discussion often centers on the realistic portrayal of Jonathan's transition from a privileged background to the gritty reality of the racing stables. Critics note that the pacing effectively mirrors the protagonist's own sense of urgency and need for distraction. The narrative is often praised for its avoidance of overly sentimental resolutions, opting instead for a grounded look at the consequences of youthful rebellion. Many readers find the technical details regarding the horses to be a compelling anchor for the emotional arc of the story.