Murray Dodd(7)

The most interesting thread in Dodd's record is what happens when the rain comes. On wet or soft ground he has won 4 of his last 21 races — nearly 1 in every 5. That 19% figure is almost three times his overall season rate, and it is the clearest signal in his numbers. When conditions suit him, he is a genuinely different proposition. Whether that is feel, patience, or simply the horses he tends to ride in those conditions, it is the thing to look for.

His strongest working relationship is with Devon-based trainer Nigel Hawke, where he has won 2 from 15 rides together — around 1 in every 7, which at 13% comfortably outperforms his season average. In a sport where trust between jockey and trainer is everything, that kind of consistency matters. When Hawke puts Dodd up, the combination has shown it can deliver.

The "(7)" after his name denotes a 7lb claim — a weight allowance given to less experienced riders to make them more attractive bookings. It is essentially a built-in advantage, and for trainers looking to place a horse cleverly, a claiming jockey who wins nearly 1 in 5 on soft ground is a useful tool. The challenge for Dodd is to keep winning as that claim reduces over time and the weight advantage shrinks. Right now, he is a jockey with a clear strength, a reliable stable partnership, and a season that needs a second wind.