Cleopatra's Needle

The most recent victory came at Galway on 30 July 2025, which now sits thirteen months in the past. Since then, the horse has been through a lean spell without a win in its last six outings, though it has picked up a couple of placed efforts — a fourth and a second among those most recent runs — which hints that form has not entirely disappeared. Ridden most often by Chris Hayes, Cleopatra's Needle has managed just one win from ten races together; the horse clearly runs better for other jockeys, a detail that matters when considering future rides. The eight-year-old currently races for trainer H Rogers at Ardee in County Louth, a yard that has been modestly productive this season with six winners sent out.

At this stage of its career and with a win rate of only 3%, Cleopatra's Needle is a horse that wins its races rather than wins them often — but when the yard can line it up at two miles or more on ground and track that suit, it has genuinely shown it belongs in the winner's enclosure. The fact that it raced as recently as yesterday suggests there is still appetite to find another victory. For those who enjoy backing a horse with clear preferences, there is something to work with here.