Heathcliff

The story becomes more interesting when you look at where he wins. Heathcliff is a Kempton specialist, having taken 3 victories there from 11 runs, and he clearly relishes the artificial surface at both Kempton and Lingfield, where he also won. His most recent success came at Lingfield back in February of this year, and his form over his last six races—a win, a second place, a seventh, a twenty-first, a fourth, and a sixth—shows the kind of mixed results that frustrate the yard trying to maintain momentum. But that win eight months ago proves he can still do the business at top level.

The real standout stat is his partnership with jockey Daniel Muscutt. Together they have won 4 of 9 races, a 44% win rate that towers above his overall figures. When Muscutt is in the saddle, Heathcliff becomes a very different proposition. James Fanshawe's Newmarket yard, which has sent out 44 winners this season, appears to have found Heathcliff's sweet spot: he wins at his best over distances between seven furlongs and a mile, and has claimed 4 of 9 races at that trip. He is most tested in top-level Class 2 races, where he has managed only 2 wins from 11 attempts, but his overall record suggests he belongs there. At five years old and still active, Heathcliff remains a horse who could add substantially to his tally if the yard can nail his race selection and keep Muscutt aboard.