If Not For Dylan

The key to understanding this horse is the ground. On wet or muddy going, it transforms: 3 wins from 9 races at a 33% rate means it wins roughly 1 in every 3 races in those conditions. That is a dramatically different animal from its dry-ground self. Keep an eye on the weather forecast before writing it off. It also has a particular fondness for Perth, winning 2 of its 5 races there — again, that 40% win rate at one track is the kind of stat that makes course-and-distance regulars very interesting when conditions align.

Trained by the experienced partnership of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, based in Milnathort in Perth and Kinross, the yard has been in fine form this season with 47 winners sent out. Most often in the saddle is Derek Fox, though their partnership has produced just 1 win from 8 races together — they are still searching for their best combination.

The last win came at Newcastle in January 2025, now 14 months ago, and the six races since have brought a couple of thirds but no victory. At 11, horses do not tend to get faster, but they can absolutely still find their moment — especially one with a proven trigger like soft ground. Recent form shows a seventh, a couple of pulled-ups, a third, a fourth, and another third, so the horse is in the mix without quite getting over the line. Still racing as recently as yesterday, the simple fact that it is still out there competing at this age says something about its durability.