Blue Carpet

Trained by Dan Skelton at his yard in Alcester, Warwickshire, Blue Carpet is in good hands. Skelton's operation has sent out 185 winners this season alone, making it one of the most productive yards in the country, and the kind of place where horses tend to keep improving rather than stagnate. The ride has most often gone to Harry Skelton — Dan's brother — who has partnered the horse in 5 of its 8 races, winning once together, a record of 1 from 5 that amounts to a 20% win rate. That's not a dominant partnership on paper, but given how often Blue Carpet has placed without winning, it speaks more to tight finishes than disappointing runs.

The first win came at Carlisle in October 2024, and the most recent at Wetherby on 31 October 2025 — five months ago now, though the horse raced just yesterday, showing the team is happy to keep it active. At Class 3 level, which is a solid middle tier of British racing, Blue Carpet has won 1 from 3 attempts, a rate of 33% — better than 1 in 3 — which suggests it is more than capable at this standard and not simply making up the numbers.

The recent form reads 2-–-2-1-2-4, meaning a fourth-place finish is the only real blip across the last six outings. Everything else has been a win or a runner-up. That is the profile of a horse that consistently shows up and competes, even if the winner's enclosure has been a little elusive of late. With an active campaign underway and a yard firing on all cylinders behind it, Blue Carpet looks like the kind of reliable performer that rewards anyone paying close attention.