Devil's Advocate

The numbers show Devil's Advocate is considerably more dangerous over longer distances. At distances between 1 mile 3 furlongs and 1 mile 4 furlongs, it has won 2 of 6 races, a win rate of one in three. That is exactly the kind of pattern you look for: a horse with a clear preference that can be exploited by a savvy trainer. Compared to its overall record of 17%, those are genuinely strong numbers and suggest this is where Devil's Advocate belongs. Over shorter trips or in the top tier of British racing, it struggles — it has never won at Class 1 level from 5 attempts — but drop it to a race suited to its distance and class, and it becomes competitive.

Recent form has been mixed. In its last six races, Devil's Advocate has drifted in and out of contention: a win, then seventh place, then a gap of several midfield efforts, before rising to fourth and seventh again. It raced just a day ago, so it is clearly active and moving through the season. Jockey William Buick, who rides for the powerful Gosden yard in Newmarket, has partnered with Devil's Advocate five times with one win between them — a 20% win rate that is better than the horse's overall average, suggesting they may work well together. The Gosden operation, which has sent out 140 winners this season, knows how to get the best out of its horses, and if Devil's Advocate can find another race over the right distance and at the right class, it could easily add to its tally before the season ends.