Grizzled trainer Ben Cross (Kurt Russell) owns the only horse farm in Kentucky without a nag.

The depression has left him with just a paddock and a run-down farmhouse and he gets by training the rides of petulant rich owners.

To add to his troubles he's fallen out with his dad (Kris Kristofferson) and he barely maintains a relationship with his daughter Dakota Fanning.

When a champion mare breaks a leg when run against Ben's wishes, he takes her on as severance pay from her owner rather than see her put down.

Nursing her back to ruddy health, the nag Sonador (Spanish for dreamer) acts as a catalyst in reviving the lapsed bonds between family members.

Attractive performances - parcticularly from the ever-reliable Fanning - ensure this makes it to the winner's enclosure.

It's cheery stuff...even if the biggest hurdle appears to be an over-reliance on cliche and formula.