Pourquoi Pas Papa

That sole win came at Wincanton in January 2026, and what matters is what came next. Just days later, Pourquoi Pas Papa finished second in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock — a serious race, run on wet, muddy ground, and one that draws talented young horses from across the country. Nicholls was openly impressed, describing it as a really good run. A horse that wins at a local track and then goes straight to a big occasion and nearly wins it is a horse that can travel. That sequence explains why the yard are genuinely excited about where this horse might go next.

His form figures over the last six races — 2-1-2-4-4-4 — show a horse that has been finding its feet and is now clearly on an upward curve. Over distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, he has won 1 from 3 races, a win rate of 33%, which is strong. He seems to be a horse who wants cut in the ground, and with wet conditions he can look a different animal altogether. Nicholls noted he loves soft ground, and if the yard can keep targeting him in those conditions, there is every reason to think he can add to his tally.

Harry Cobden, one of the most trusted jockeys in the sport, has been in the saddle for five of the seven races and has that one win together — 20%, or roughly 1 in 5 rides converting. That partnership looks likely to continue, and with a horse that appears to be finding its stride at exactly the right moment, Pourquoi Pas Papa is one to watch closely over the weeks ahead.