Dark Cloud Rising

Trained by David O'Meara at Upper Helmsley in North Yorkshire, Dark Cloud Rising comes from one of the most productive yards in the country right now. O'Meara's operation has sent out 102 winners already this season, which is the kind of output that speaks to a well-run team with real depth. When a horse comes out of a yard firing at that rate, you take notice.

The partnership with jockey Daniel Tudhope is worth flagging. In seven races together, the pair have won twice — that works out at roughly 1 in every 3.5 races, or 29%, which is a meaningfully better return than Dark Cloud Rising achieves overall. Some horses simply click with a particular rider, and this looks like one of those combinations.

The bulk of Dark Cloud Rising's career has been spent at Class 3 level — not the very top of the sport, but a solid, competitive tier where the fields are strong and wins are earned. Two wins from 9 races at that level, a 22% win rate, holds up well. The first career win came at Thirsk in August 2024, and the most recent — at Newcastle in November 2025 — shows this is a horse still progressing and adding to its record into its fourth year.

Recent form gives even more reason for interest. The last six runs read 8-17-5-1-5-10 from oldest to most recent, and that final number — a win — was just five months ago. The horse raced again only yesterday, meaning it is in the thick of an active campaign right now. Form that includes a recent win and a run within the last 24 hours suggests a horse in good health and being kept busy by a yard that clearly believes in it.