Howth

The partnership between Howth and jockey Stan Sheppard tells you something important about consistency and trust. They have raced together just six times, but Sheppard has steered him to victory in four of those—a 67% win rate that stands out sharply against Howth's overall record. Their last collaboration was just yesterday, though the result was a ninth-place finish. At Newton Abbot, Howth is virtually unbeatable, having won 2 of his 3 races there, most recently in August 2025. That course clearly suits him, and when the ground is firm and the distance is right, he is a genuine threat.

What complicates Howth's record is class. Step him up to Class 3 races—the higher tier of competition—and he has failed to win in eight attempts. This is a horse who competes best against less demanding opposition, over terrain that plays to his strengths. His first career win came at Market Rasen in May 2025, and while thirteen months have passed since his last victory, his recent form suggests he is still capable. In his last six races, he has finished outside the placings only once, picking up two thirds, a fourth, and a fifth. That is not a horse in decline; it is one waiting for the right conjunction of distance, ground, and class to deliver another win.