Faceman

The most telling detail in his profile is the recent form. Reading from his last run backwards: a blank, then fifth, third, fourth, first, second. That sequence is almost a perfect narrative arc — a horse creeping closer and closer to the top before finally breaking through, and then doing it again. His first career win came at Kilbeggan in July 2025, and his second followed at Tramore in August. Two wins in roughly six weeks, after years of knocking on the door, suggests a horse that genuinely improved with age rather than fading away.

The partnership with jockey Brian Hayes is worth noting. Together they have won 2 of their 6 races — that is 1 in every 3 rides, or 33%, which is a remarkably high win rate and well above what you would expect from most horse-and-jockey combinations. When Hayes is in the saddle, Faceman clearly performs at his peak.

His trainer, David Harry Kelly, operates out of Rathvin in County Tipperary, and the yard has been in fine form this season with 16 winners already on the board. That kind of momentum matters — horses from busy, confident yards tend to arrive at the track ready to run. Faceman also has a clear preference for normal ground conditions, winning 2 of his 5 races on a standard surface, a 40% win rate that is exceptional. Put him on wet or firm ground and the stats drop away sharply, so conditions will always be worth watching with this one.

He raced just one day ago, which makes him one of the more active horses around right now. His last win was at Tramore back in August, so he is eight months without adding to his tally, but given how competitive his recent runs have been, it would be no surprise if that changed soon.