Zimmerman

The key to getting the best out of Zimmerman is straightforward: wet ground. On soft or muddy going, he has won 3 of his 8 races — that's 38%, or better than 1 in every 3 starts. That's a remarkable conversion rate for any horse, and Easterby knows it. After Zimmerman's win at York in July 2024, the trainer was blunt about it: the horse loves soft ground, stays two miles, and if the rain comes, they'll find races for him. It's a simple formula that consistently works.

Haydock Park is where Zimmerman has made his most lasting impression. He's won 2 of his 5 races there, including his very first career victory back in May 2022, and jockey James Sullivan described him at his best on that occasion — switched off, relaxed, and very tough at the finish. Winning 2 from 5 at any specific track is the kind of record that makes a trainer keep coming back, and for good reason.

The partnership with Sean Kirrane is worth noting too. In 12 races together, Kirrane has ridden Zimmerman to 3 wins — a win rate of 25%, or 1 in every 4. That's considerably better than Zimmerman's overall average, which suggests the combination brings something out in the horse. Easterby's yard has been in fine form this season, sending out 138 winners, so there's no shortage of confidence in the operation around him.

The honest caveat is that Zimmerman hasn't won in his last 6 races, with his most recent victory now 22 months ago. His recent form — finishing sixth, eighth, third, and then three further midfield efforts — suggests he's been competitive without quite finding that winning thread again. He's racing actively, with a run just yesterday, and Easterby has had his eye on some of the bigger staying races. Whether wet weather and a track he loves can unlock another win remains to be seen, but with this horse, the conditions matter more than almost anything else.