Strike

The key to unlocking Strike is simple: give him dry ground. On fast or firm conditions, he has won 5 of 15 races — that's 1 in every 3, a completely different horse to the one who struggles when the track gets wet or heavy. That number is striking because his overall win rate is 12%, yet on the ground he favours it climbs to 33%. When the sun has been out, Strike is a legitimate contender.

Windsor appears to suit him particularly well. He has won twice from just 5 visits there, which is a healthy return and suggests the track's unique figure-of-eight layout agrees with him in some way. His most regular partner in the saddle is Rob Hornby, who has ridden him 22 times and won twice — a 9% win rate together, about 1 in every 11 rides. That number looks modest, but it reflects how competitive his races have been rather than any lack of trying from either party.

What gives his profile a boost right now is his current form. In his last six races the numbers read 1-4-2-3-8-2, meaning five of those six efforts have produced a top-four finish. Crucially, he won at Newbury just this week, his most recent outing. Trainer Jonathan Portman, whose yard at Upper Lambourn has sent out 46 winners this season alone, has spoken warmly of Strike — describing him as a genuine character around the stables and a horse whose mark is beginning to fall as he ages. In handicap racing, a dropping mark is actually good news: it means the weights are shifting in the horse's favour.

Strike is not a flashy name on a Classic entry list. He is something perhaps more enjoyable — a dependable, sunny-day specialist who, at eight years old, is still rolling up and winning races. His first career win came at Newmarket back in August 2022, and four years later he is still adding to his tally. That longevity deserves a little respect.