That is the story of Excello's career in a nutshell. He is seven years old, still active — he raced just yesterday — and has not won in his last six races. When you consider that Henderson's yard at Upper Lambourn has sent out 90 winners this season alone, you get a sense of the standard Excello is competing against every time he steps out. He runs almost exclusively at Class 2 level, winning 1 from 7 races at that grade, which is a 14% win rate. That's not a disaster, but it does mean the gaps between rewards are long.
What keeps the story interesting is the horse himself. Henderson has spoken warmly about his "very sound races" since that Ascot win, and one run in particular stands out — a strong showing in the Topham Chase at Aintree, a notoriously demanding race run over the Grand National fences. Those big, unusual obstacles seem to suit Excello in a way that conventional tracks do not, and Henderson has already flagged the Becher Chase — also run over the National fences — as a target. Regular partner Nico de Boinville has been on board for 11 of his 16 races, winning once together, a 9% win rate that mirrors the horse's overall record.
Thirty months have passed since that Ascot win, which is a long time in any sport. But Excello is not a horse in decline — he is a horse waiting for the right race. If Henderson's instinct about those Grand National fences is correct, the Becher Chase might be exactly that.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Galloping |
4 | 4 other | 12 Mar | 0% |
| Aintree Galloping |
4 | 1 third, 3 other | 10 Apr | 0% |
| Ascot Galloping |
3 | 1 win, 1 second, 1 third | 23 Nov | 33.3% |
| Windsor Sharp |
2 | 1 second, 1 third | 17 Jan | 0% |
| Exeter Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 9 Feb | 0% |
| Worcester Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 11 Jun | 0% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 8 Mar | 0% |