What marks him out is his partnership with jockey W J Lee. The pair have clicked in a way that elevates his form: together they have won 3 of 11 races, a win rate of roughly 1 in every 3 or 4 rides, which is significantly better than his overall record. Trainer A Oliver, based at Caledon in Co Tyrone, has found that The Highway Rat tends to run well when fresh after a break, and the stable has been in good form this season with 18 winners sent out.
The Highway Rat's last race came just over a day ago, and his recent form has been tough — he has not won in his last six outings, though he has picked up places along the way, showing enough to stay competitive. Oliver had been planning a comeback run at the Curragh's Bold Lad Sprint Handicap after a break to recover from jarring at Naas, betting that a return to the track with a fresh horse would spark a return to the winner's circle. For a horse who has found his level as a consistent if modest performer, the right track and the right rider remain his best hope of adding to a career tally that, at this stage, reads more in terms of experience than prize money.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Curragh Galloping |
12 | 1 second, 1 third, 10 other | 9 Aug | 0% |
| Dundalk Galloping |
10 | 2 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, 4 other | 12 Jul | 20% |
| Navan Galloping |
4 | 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third | 7 Jun | 50% |
| Naas Galloping |
3 | 3 other | 28 Apr | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 30 Mar | 0% |
| Tipperary Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 26 Aug | 0% |