Woven

Dods has been candid about what Woven needs to show its best. Speaking back in the summer of 2023, he pointed out that the horse won on soft ground at Doncaster in May of that year and would win again — but only when there was cut in the ground. That first career win at Doncaster in May 2023 proved the point perfectly. The most recent win, at Ayr in October 2025, confirmed it all over again. Dods also flagged another factor that works against a horse like this: weight. At Ayr that day, Woven was carrying over ten stone, which Dods described as a big ask for a horse that isn't physically imposing. The handicapper — the official who assigns weights to try to level the playing field — had pushed Woven up to a rating of 88 after the Doncaster win, when the horse had won off a mark of 83. That five-point rise made life significantly harder, and Dods knew it.

Most of Woven's racing life has been spent competing at Class 3, one rung below the top tier of British racing. Across 22 races at that level, there have been 2 wins — roughly 1 in every 11. It is a competitive grade and, given the weight concerns Dods has outlined, it represents a genuine ceiling for this horse unless the conditions fall perfectly. The last win came nine months ago, and the six most recent runs have produced a place rather than a victory. Connor Beasley, who has ridden Woven in 12 races, is still waiting for a first win together. But Dods's yard has sent out 43 winners already this season, so the operation is clearly in good health — and Woven raced just yesterday, meaning the yard are keeping the horse busy and looking for the right opportunity.