George's Lad
George's Lad is the kind of horse that makes you believe in second chances. After a heavy fall at Sandown in March when he was running well in a top-level race, he came back this season bigger and stronger—but not quite ready. His reappearance at Fontwell in late October was rough: he finished third but looked uncertain, as though the fall had planted a seed of doubt. His trainer
Emma Lavelle, based in Wiltshire, spotted it straightaway.
Harry Cobden, who has ridden him six times, thought the same thing. So they went back to work, schooling him over and over to rebuild his confidence, turning jumping into gymnastics practice rather than racing. It worked.
Based on TrackLab's analysis
Owner
Andy The Frisky Fillies
📊 Key numbers
Career totals for this horse
🔍 Full analysis
Our model's view, based on this horse's career and recent runs
When George's Lad lined up at Doncaster in January, he was ready. He won decisively—his first career victory—and Lavelle explained afterwards that she had deliberately brought him there to secure qualification for the EBF Final, a prestigious end-of-season championship. At six years old and with two wins from eleven races (an 18% win rate), he is a steady, improving performer. He has finished in the top three in seven of those races, showing he belongs in Class 3 company, where he has won one of his five starts. His last victory came at Haydock Park in April, and while six months without a win is a long spell, his recent form—a third, a win, a fifth, a second, a fourth, and another third across his last six races—suggests he is finding his feet again. Lavelle's yard has been prolific this season with 44 winners, and George's Lad looks poised to add to that tally sooner rather than later.
⚡ Strengths and risks
What helps this horse and what to watch out for
✓ What works in their favour
✔ Excellent record on good ground: 1 wins from 3 starts (33%)
⚠ What to watch out for
⚠ Struggles on RH Galloping tracks: 0 wins from 5 starts
🎯 Where this horse runs best
Results split by ground, distance, race level and track shape
🌧 Ground
Good (a little give)
Loves
Good to soft (some give)
Ok
📏 Race distance
Long Distance (2M+)
Likes
🏅 Race level
Class 3 (mid-level)
Likes
Class 4 (standard)
Avoids
🏟 Track shape
Left-handed, long straights
Loves
Right-handed, hilly
Unknown
Left-handed, tight
Unknown
Right-handed, long straights
Avoids
📅 Recent runs
The last 10 races, most recent first
14 Oct
3rd
Ffos Las
Long Distance (2m+) · Soft · 4 runners
15 Apr
🏆 Won
Haydock Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 12 runners
26 Dec
5th
Kempton Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 11 runners
12 Dec
2nd
Doncaster
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 6 runners
21 Nov
4th
Ascot
1m6f – 2m · Good · 8 runners
23 Oct
3rd
Fontwell Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 7 runners
8 Mar
DNF
Sandown Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 18 runners
24 Jan
🏆 Won
Doncaster
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 12 runners
2 Jan
2nd
Huntingdon
1m6f – 2m · Good_To_Soft · 16 runners
25 Nov
2nd
Kempton Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 11 runners
🏇 Jockeys
Every jockey who has ridden this horse, most rides first
🏟 Course record
Win rate at each course this horse has visited
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|
| Doncaster Galloping |
2 |
1 win, 1 second |
12 Dec |
50% |
| Kempton Park Galloping |
2 |
1 second, 1 other |
26 Dec |
0% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
1 |
1 win |
15 Apr |
100% |
| Huntingdon Galloping |
1 |
1 second |
2 Jan |
0% |
| Exeter Undulating |
1 |
1 other |
22 Oct |
0% |
| Ascot Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
21 Nov |
0% |
| Fontwell Park Tight |
1 |
1 third |
23 Oct |
0% |
| Ffos Las Galloping |
1 |
1 third |
14 Oct |
0% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
8 Mar |
0% |