Inthenickoftime

The pattern that jumps out is Inthenickoftime's love of soft, muddy ground. On such surfaces, the horse has won three races from eight attempts—a win rate of roughly 38 per cent, or nearly one win in every three outings. That's a stark contrast to its overall record and explains why wet conditions matter enormously to this horse's chances. Trainer E Bolger, based at Bruree in County Limerick, has clearly learned this lesson; the yard as a whole has been competitive this season with 14 winners sent out.

The partnership with jockey Simon Torrens has also borne fruit, with two wins from 12 races together—a 17 per cent return. That's marginally better than Inthenickoftime's general form, suggesting the two work well in tandem. With the horse still actively racing and showing recent momentum, Inthenickoftime appears to be a horse that rewards patience and knows its best conditions. It may not be a racecourse regular or a headline-grabber, but it's a genuine professional at six years old and one that's worth keeping an eye on whenever soft ground is forecast.