Cap Ricochet

Put this horse on normal ground conditions and the numbers flip entirely. On that going, Cap Ricochet wins 2 out of every 7 races — nearly one in three — a dramatic jump from its overall record. Strip away the wet days and the fast-ground defeats, and you have a horse that actually knows how to win when conditions are right. The opposite is true at higher Class 5 level: the horse has never won from six attempts at that standard, suggesting the step up in quality exposes real limitations. But at the levels Cap Ricochet typically tackles, normal ground is the sweet spot.

The recent form is encouraging. This week alone, Cap Ricochet won at Market Rasen on 17 October — its second victory at that track in ten days, having also won there on 8 October. That is two wins from the last six races, momentum that matters for a horse of this calibre. John Dawson's Cleveland yard has been selective this season, sending out just 2 winners, so each one counts. Cap Ricochet raced just yesterday and remains active, which means the horse is being kept sharp and is clearly sound. For a modest but consistent performer, that is the best sign there is.