Moonlit Cloud

The most striking thing about Moonlit Cloud is what happens when the horse goes to Bath. In just four visits to the Somerset track, it has won twice — a 50% win rate that any trainer would be delighted with. Those two Bath wins bookend a clear chapter of this horse's career: the first came in July 2022, the second in May 2024. That second Bath win was 26 months ago now, which is a long time, and Moonlit Cloud has gone six races without a victory since. The recent form — finishing 8th, 7th, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 3rd in its last six outings — is the pattern of a horse trying hard but not quite getting there.

Most of Moonlit Cloud's races have come at Class 5 level, which is where the bulk of everyday British racing happens — competitive without being elite. At that level, the horse has won 3 from 15, or 1 in every 5, which is actually a solid record and suggests this is exactly the right grade for it to be competitive. Step too high in class, and the margins get harder to close.

Jockey Liam Keniry has been the most regular partner, riding Moonlit Cloud six times and winning once — a 17% win rate, or roughly 1 in 6. That single win together is a small sample, but it is a partnership that has clearly been trusted to continue. The horse is trained by Dean Ivory at his yard in Radlett, Hertfordshire, and the operation has been in decent form this season with 7 winners already sent out.

Moonlit Cloud raced just yesterday, so the legs are still warm and the season is very much alive. At eight years old, the horse knows its job. Whether another Bath trip is on the cards remains to be seen — but if it is, history says that is where the best chance of a fifth career win lies.