Doctor Grace

The McGuinness yard, based in Lusk on the north Dublin coast, has been in fine form this season with 45 winners already sent out — and Doctor Grace has played her part. Her most recent win came at Roscommon just six weeks ago, which means she goes to the track in decent nick. Her last six runs read 11, pulled up, fell or refused twice, then a win, a second, and a fifth — a mixed sequence, but with that Roscommon victory sitting at its heart. Whatever happened on those two difficult outings, she bounced back, and a horse who can do that is worth paying attention to.

On normal ground she is at her most dangerous. From 13 races in standard conditions, she has won 2, which translates to a 15% win rate — wins roughly 1 in every 7 races in those circumstances. That is nearly double her overall average, and it is a clear signal: on a dry, fair surface at the right distance, she becomes a different proposition. Her preferred range of seven furlongs to a mile suits horses with a bit of zip about them, and she has won 1 from 7 at those trips — around 1 in every 7 — which aligns neatly with her ground preferences.

Sam Coen has partnered her more than anyone, riding her in 14 of her 59 races for 1 win together. That is a 7% win rate from that combination — roughly 1 in every 14 — though it is worth noting that any regular partnership takes time to build, and the horse's overall record shows she is capable of better. She raced just yesterday and remains active, which suggests the yard are keeping her busy while the form holds. With Roscommon in the book and normal ground on the forecast, Doctor Grace looks like a horse capable of adding to her tally before long.