Dr T J Eckleburg

The most eye-catching thing about this eight-year-old is what happens when the rain arrives. On wet or muddy ground, he wins 5 from 17 races — that's 29%, or nearly 1 in every 3 outings. For comparison, his overall win rate is 17%, or roughly 1 in every 6. The wet stuff genuinely transforms him. Trainer Mrs C Williams, based at Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, first noted back in 2021 that he was "a nice staying type" with room to improve, and that patience has paid off: he won a Class 2 race at Chepstow in February 2025, which is one of the top-level races in Britain, suggesting he can step up when conditions suit.

He also has a surprisingly tidy record at Ludlow, where he has won 2 from just 3 races. That kind of course form — two wins from three visits — is the sort of thing experienced punters get very interested in. Some horses simply click with a particular track's layout and undulations, and Ludlow appears to be one of those happy hunting grounds for him.

His most frequent partner in the saddle is Adam Wedge, and together they have a productive relationship: 3 wins from 14 races, a win rate of 21%, or just over 1 in every 5 rides. That's notably better than the horse's overall record, and the combination is worth watching when the ground is soft. The yard at Llancarfan has sent out 3 winners so far this season, so the team is in form.

The current form run — no win in his last 6 races, though he has placed three times in a row — shows a horse who is competitive and close to the action without quite getting his nose in front. His last win came 14 months ago at Chepstow, and with a race just yesterday confirming he remains active, the next rainy day at Ludlow or Chepstow could be exactly the moment that changes.