Ben Godfrey

The brightest spot in Godfrey's career so far is his partnership with trainer Anthony Honeyball. From 34 rides together they've produced 4 winners — a win rate of around 1 in every 8, which is significantly better than his overall numbers suggest. That sort of ratio tells you something: Honeyball clearly trusts him with horses that have a genuine chance, and Godfrey tends to deliver when the opportunity is there.

There are two other things worth noting about where and when he tends to shine. Wincanton, the popular Somerset track, has been kind to him — 3 winners from 17 rides there is a decent return, and jockeys who build a reputation at a particular course often get more opportunities from local trainers as a result. And when the weather turns nasty and the ground becomes wet and muddy, Godfrey holds his own: 1 winner from just 10 rides in those conditions gives a 10% win rate, which suggests he rides with confidence when others might be cautious.

At 64 career winners across four years, Godfrey is productive without yet being prolific. The challenge now is reversing this season's slide. A jockey's reputation is built slowly and can soften quickly, and the difference between 9% and 6% is the difference between being the first call and the second. He has the Honeyball connection, a track he knows well, and an ability to handle difficult ground. The building blocks are there — it's just a question of whether this season turns out to be a blip or a trend.