Darvel

The past fourteen months have been tough. Darvel has not found the winner's circle in his last six races, finishing second twice but mostly filling top-3 finishes lower down the card — a 13th place came most recently, just a day ago. This is a horse who has seen better days, yet the pattern of his career suggests he is not finished. He has won 2 of his 4 races at Chepstow, making it his fortress, and when ridden by Hector Crouch he lifts his game noticeably, winning at 20% compared to his career average. Chamings, his trainer at Baughurst in Hampshire, has noted in the past that Darvel has more ability than his rating suggests, and there is a consistency to that view — a horse capable of winning at decent odds when conditions and company align. He is active now, having raced within the last day, and belongs in that category of older horses who remain competitive at their proper level even if the headlines have moved on.