The real story here is Perth. Follow Charlie has found its level at that track, winning three of its 11 races there—a 27% win rate that stands out sharply against its overall record. The most recent of those wins came just two months ago in August, which suggests the horse still has pace in its legs and hasn't lost its edge. Away from Perth, though, it struggles. Most tellingly, at the higher Class 4 level where it has competed most often, Follow Charlie has won just once from 17 attempts, a figure that underlines how much the horse depends on finding the right spot.
Recent form hints at a horse finding its rhythm again. In its last six races, Follow Charlie has won twice—most notably finishing first just four days ago and again before that—with a second and a third mixed in among the runs. Ben Smith has been the regular jockey, and while their record together stands at two wins from 16 races, they clearly know each other's methods. Trainer R. Mike Smith, operating from Galston in East Ayrshire, runs an effective yard that has already sent out 25 winners this season, and Follow Charlie performs best on normal ground, where it has won three of eight races. The horse thrives when conditions stay standard and when it races where it belongs, which is exactly what Perth seems to offer.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayr Galloping |
14 | 3 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, 7 other | 6 Mar | 21.4% |
| Perth Galloping |
11 | 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third, 6 other | 15 Oct | 27.3% |
| Carlisle Undulating |
3 | 1 third, 2 other | 23 Mar | 0% |
| Kelso Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 7 Dec | 0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 6 Apr | 0% |
| Hexham Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 22 Nov | 0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 | 1 other | 12 May | 0% |
| Musselburgh Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 20 Mar | 0% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 15 Feb | 0% |