Copper And Five

What makes Copper And Five interesting is where he wins. At Class 5 level, the more modest end of racing, he has managed one victory from ten races — a ten percent win rate that stands out from his overall seven percent record. His recent form has been frustrating, with no wins in his last six races, but his trainer sees a clear pattern in how he runs. Carr explains that Copper And Five often comes alive on his second or third start of a campaign, a sweet spot when his fitness peaks and he seems to find another gear. That insight alone tells you why he might still be worth following: when Carr and his regular jockey Joanna Mason saddle him up for another race, the second attempt could be the one. Mason, who has ridden him to 2 wins from 24 races, recently described how a simple tack adjustment and a tactical decision to let him stride on short made all the difference, suggesting there are still small changes that can unlock his best.

The horse's owner bred him and races him not for profit but for love, which explains why, at an age when many horses are retired, Copper And Five continues to race. He is sound, he is competitive at his level, and somewhere in his DNA is still the will to win. That is rare in racing. Most yards would have moved on by now, but Carr's yard at Stillington has sent out 56 winners this season and can afford to keep a genuine old favourite in work. When Copper And Five does break his drought, expect it to come the way his trainer predicted: after a race or two to sharpen him up, probably on his second start of a campaign.