Cave Court

The partnership with amateur jockey Mr O McGill is one of the more striking details in the file. In 16 races together, they've won five times — that's 31%, or almost 1 in every 3 rides. To put that in perspective, Cave Court wins just 1 in 5 races overall, so something clearly clicks when McGill is in the saddle. Whether it's feel, timing, or simply that McGill gets the ride when conditions suit, the numbers make a compelling case for keeping that combination together.

Trainer Noel C Kelly, based at Draperstown in Co. Derry, has sent out 14 winners already this season, which suggests a yard in decent form. Kelly isn't operating at the flashy end of the sport, but 14 winners represents a yard that knows how to place a horse and get results. Cave Court is part of a stable that clearly does its homework.

The ground angle is worth knowing about. On slightly wet or soft ground, Cave Court has won 2 of just 3 races — a 67% record that is striking. On drier, faster ground the record is far more modest. That's not unusual in National Hunt racing, but it does mean the team will be watching the weather closely. Get the right conditions and this horse has a habit of performing.

The honest part of the picture is that Cave Court hasn't won since Naas on 26 January 2025, now more than 14 months ago, and the last six results — 14th, 8th, 13th, 2nd, 7th, 4th — tell a story of a horse that has been placed once but is otherwise finding it hard to land a blow. At nine, the wins may not come as easily as they once did. But Cave Court raced just 17 days ago and is clearly still active and being targeted — and on the right ground, with McGill aboard, it would be unwise to completely write it off.