The picture becomes sharper when you look at what ground suits Merlot best. On fast, dry ground, the horse has won 2 of 6 races — a 33% win rate — which is significantly better than the overall record. That first win came at Brighton on 16 October 2025, and the most recent victory, at Newbury on 26 August, came just three weeks ago. Both courses are known for drying out quickly, and Merlot clearly performs better when conditions are firm underfoot. This is useful information: when the ground is wet or muddy, back away; when it's dry and fast, pay attention.
Ed Dunlop's Newmarket yard has been in fine form this season with 39 winners already, so Merlot is part of a stable clearly firing on all cylinders. With Merlot still active after racing just a day ago, the horse is being campaigned regularly, which suggests the team believes there is more to come. For now, Magical Merlot remains a work in progress — a horse with genuine ability on the right ground but one that has yet to find the consistency that separates promising from genuinely reliable.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Galloping |
2 | 1 win, 1 other | 26 Aug | 50% |
| Southwell Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 7 Apr | 0% |
| Windsor Sharp |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 13 Aug | 0% |
| Brighton Undulating |
1 | 1 win | 16 Oct | 100% |
| Redcar Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 15 Sep | 0% |
| Musselburgh Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 6 Jun | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 third | 27 Jun | 0% |
| Thirsk Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 29 Aug | 0% |