Rathgar

The yard behind Rathgar is Jack Channon's operation at West Ilsley in Berkshire, which has been in fine form this season — 46 winners and counting. Regular jockey David Probert has ridden Rathgar 11 times and won on 2 of those occasions, which works out at roughly 1 win in every 5 or 6 rides together. That is a decent partnership at this level, because Rathgar typically competes in Class 2 races — the second tier of British racing — and winning just 1 from 11 at that standard tells you this is a competitive horse operating against good opposition every time it turns up. Prize money at this level is serious, and simply placing regularly is no small thing.

The distance sweet spot appears to be somewhere between a mile and a furlong and a mile and two furlongs, where Rathgar has won 1 from 3 races — a 33% hit rate that is comfortably its best at any trip. The highlight of the career so far was a Class 2 win at Great Yarmouth in July 2024, which showed this horse can deliver on the big occasions. That win was now 20 months ago, and recent form — finishing fourth, tenth, tenth, third, second, and fifth across the last six races — suggests the wins have dried up. The second place in there hints at ability still present, but the back-to-back tenth-place finishes are harder to explain away.

Rathgar raced just three days ago, so there is no question of the horse being put away for the season. The team clearly believes there is more to come, and with Goodwood on the horizon whenever the fixture list allows, that belief may not be misplaced.