Starzov

That said, there is one genuine strength buried in this record. Starzov is a different proposition on wet or muddy ground. On those surfaces, the horse has won 2 of 6 races—a 33% win rate that stands out sharply against its overall 8% record. This suggests that when conditions turn heavy, Starzov's running style clicks into gear in a way it rarely does on faster ground. For a horse this age and this far from its last win, finding a race on the right terrain matters hugely.

Starzov races for trainer P J Rothwell's yard at Tinahely in County Wicklow, a stable that has sent out 35 winners this season and knows how to get the best from its inmates. The horse is most often partnered with jockey P J O'Hanlon, who has ridden it to 1 win from 5 races together—a 20% win rate that is notably better than Starzov's overall form, which hints that the pairing may suit. The horse raced just a day ago, so it remains an active competitor. Whether that recent run brings it back to the winners' enclosure or continues its lengthy drought likely depends on ground conditions and finding the right opportunity.