I Shut That d'Or

The back story adds some texture. Early in his career, trainer Joe Tizzard revealed that the horse had a tooth growing into the bone of his jaw — an injury that caused him to bolt and made him almost impossible to manage. Once that was sorted, a different horse emerged. His first win came at Wincanton in January 2023, where jockey Tom Cannon noted he had been a little outpaced at shorter distances but found his rhythm once the jumping settled him into a rhythm and the extra distance played to his strengths. That kind of horse — one that needs things to fall right before it clicks into gear — is exactly the sort that benefits from a patient, experienced yard. Tizzard's team has sent out 58 winners this season alone, which suggests they know what they are doing.

The most interesting detail in the record is Plumpton. Over his career, he has won 2 of just 4 races there — a 50% win rate at a single track, against a career average of 17%. Jockey Brendan Powell, who has partnered him more than anyone else with 12 rides together, put it plainly after one Plumpton success: Joe had found the right race for him. That is the art of placing a horse well, and it is clearly something the yard does thoughtfully with this one.

His most recent win came at Hereford in January 2025, now 17 months ago, and his last two runs have both been fifth-place finishes. He raced just yesterday, so the team clearly still believes there is more to come. He competes mostly at Class 4 level, winning 2 from 9 at that grade — roughly 1 in every 4 — which is where he belongs and where he is most dangerous. Next time the entries come out and Plumpton appears alongside his name, that is worth paying attention to.