Threeunderthrufive

The autumn and winter of 2021 was when Threeunderthrufive really announced itself. It won five races in the space of roughly three and a half months, starting at Exeter in November and sweeping through Cheltenham, Doncaster, and back again — a purple patch that included back-to-back top-level wins in December and January. Horses rarely string together runs like that at Class 1, and it suggested something genuinely exciting was emerging. Then, more than two years later, came one final reminder of what this horse is capable of: a Class 1 win at Ascot in February 2024, showing that even at ten the ability had not entirely gone.

The conditions matter here, too. On soft or slightly wet ground, Threeunderthrufive has won 3 of its 8 races — 38% — which is a striking number. On other ground it has only managed 2 wins from 16 attempts. That tells you this horse has a clear preference, and on the right day with the right conditions, it can still be dangerous.

Trained by Paul Nicholls at his yard in Ditcheat, Somerset — one of the most powerful operations in British racing, having sent out 95 winners already this season — Threeunderthrufive has most often been partnered by Harry Cobden, though their 1 win from 12 races together (8%) suggests even a top jockey has found this horse difficult to get the best from consistently.

The honest assessment right now is that six races without a win, and the last victory now 26 months ago, suggest Threeunderthrufive is past the peak that made those 2021 and 2024 wins possible. But at 11, still active and still competing at the top level with Paul Nicholls in charge, it would be unwise to completely write it off — especially on a soft, wet day.