Clansman

The most striking thing about Clansman is his love of wet, muddy ground. On those days when the track is heavy and churned up, he becomes a different proposition entirely, winning 3 of his 5 races on such conditions—a 60 percent win rate that stands out dramatically against his overall record. It is the kind of form that makes trainers mark their cards when the forecast calls for rain. He last won at Southwell on 29 April this year, four months ago now, which suggests he has been running without success since then despite recent efforts to find another winning opportunity.

Liam Bailey's yard at Middleham has him in good hands, and the partnership with jockey Billy Garritty has been particularly fruitful. The pair have combined for 4 wins from 14 races together—a 29 percent win rate that is nearly one and a half times better than Clansman's overall record, a telling statistic about the value of the right rider. At Ayr, Clansman has developed into something of a course specialist, winning 2 of his 6 races there. He typically races in Class 4 company, the lower tiers of the sport, where his experience and temperament on soft ground could yet deliver another winning day before his career winds down.