Twist Of Fatecatch

The recent form figures — 8-6-3-4-11-4 — tell the story of a horse hovering just outside the frame more often than it lands in it. That third-place finish stands out as the highlight of the past six runs, a sign the ability is there on the right day. Neil Mulholland, who trains out of Limpley Stoke in Wiltshire, has had a productive season with 60 winners from the yard, and Twist Of Fatecatch is clearly a horse he thinks well of. Mulholland has spoken warmly about the horse's attitude — describing it as consistent and honest — and was particularly encouraged by a run at Exeter recently where the horse finished fifth on its first outing after a summer break. The horse pulled too hard and was keen early, but Mulholland was happy enough with what he saw, which matters. Trainers do not always volunteer that sort of enthusiasm publicly.

The plan is to keep the horse over hurdles this season before sending it chasing — jumping fences rather than the smaller hurdles — next time around. Mulholland also believes it wants a staying trip, meaning it tends to travel better over longer distances, saving its best for when the race really gets going. That is a useful trait, and it fits with the profile of a horse that places consistently rather than winning in a flash. At Class 4 level — the middle tier of British racing — it has won 1 from 6, which is a win rate of roughly 1 in 6 at that grade. That is perfectly respectable.

Jockey Dylan Johnston has partnered the horse in 9 of its 14 races, winning once together. The partnership has found winning form hard to come by, but the combination clearly has the trust of the trainer. With a step up in trip potentially on the horizon and the yard in good form, Twist Of Fatecatch is the sort of horse that could surprise if everything falls right.