Playful Fox
Playful Fox has found its rhythm at last. The 4-year-old won this week at Newton Abbot, its third victory in the last six races, and is clearly hitting form at exactly the right time. For a horse that didn't break its duck until late June at Stratford-on-Avon, the momentum is striking—three wins from twelve races overall represents a steady 25% win rate, but the real story is recent: this horse is winning roughly half its races right now.Based on TrackLab's analysis
📊 Key numbers
Career totals for this horse
🔍 Full analysis
Our model's view, based on this horse's career and recent runs
Dan Skelton's yard at Alcester has clearly worked something out. Playful Fox shows a clear preference for longer distances, winning 3 of its last 8 races over two miles or more—a 38% return that stands out against the overall figures. That kind of specialization matters. The horse was beaten into second and third repeatedly in the first half of this campaign before clicking into place, and the last six runs tell the tale: wins, a couple of close finishes, and consistent competitiveness. This is a horse improving under the trainer's care, not one struggling to find a level.
With one race under its belt in the past day, Playful Fox remains active and sharp. The window is open for another strike soon, especially if it returns to the longer trips where it excels.
⚡ Strengths and risks
What helps this horse and what to watch out for
✓ What works in their favour
✔ Well suited by Long Distance (2m+) distances: 38% win rate
🎯 Where this horse runs best
Results split by ground, distance, race level and track shape
🌧 Ground
Good to firm (fairly firm)
Unknown
📏 Race distance
Long Distance (2M+)
Loves
🏅 Race level
Class 4 (standard)
Unknown
Class 5 (entry-level)
Unknown
🏟 Track shape
Left-handed, tight turns
Loves
Left-handed, long straights
Avoids
📅 Recent runs
The last 10 races, most recent first
17 Oct
🏆 Won
Newton Abbot
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 6 runners
4 Oct
5th
Uttoxeter
1m6f – 2m · Good · 10 runners
8 Sep
5th
Bangor-on-Dee
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 6 runners
22 Aug
🏆 Won
Newton Abbot
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Firm · 6 runners
22 Jul
2nd
Worcester
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 7 runners
29 Jun
🏆 Won
Stratford-on-Avon
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Firm · 6 runners
28 May
4th
Worcester
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 10 runners
22 May
2nd
Worcester
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 8 runners
2 May
DNF
Uttoxeter
1m6f – 2m · Good · 16 runners
30 Jan
5th
Catterick Bridge
1m6f – 2m · Soft · 5 runners
🏇 Jockeys
Every jockey who has ridden this horse, most rides first
🏟 Course record
Win rate at each course this horse has visited
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|
| Worcester Galloping |
3 |
2 seconds, 1 other |
22 Jul |
0% |
| Newton Abbot Sharp |
2 |
2 wins |
17 Oct |
100% |
| Uttoxeter Sharp |
2 |
2 other |
4 Oct |
0% |
| Bangor-on-Dee Sharp |
2 |
1 third, 1 other |
8 Sep |
0% |
| Stratford-on-Avon Sharp |
1 |
1 win |
29 Jun |
100% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
30 Dec |
0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
1 |
1 other |
30 Jan |
0% |