Arranmore

His wins came on normal ground at distances between one mile three furlongs and one mile four furlongs, and that is where his record shines: he has won 2 of his 10 races at that distance and ground combination, a win rate of 1 in 5 races. Away from those conditions, he barely breaks even, and his record in higher-level races is stark — zero wins from 17 races at Class 5 level, suggesting he belongs in more competitive company. His recent form has been lean. In his last six races he has finished sixth, tenth, seventh, sixth, fifth, and second, though that runner-up finish came just four months ago at Southwell, his last winning track. Since that March victory, he has struggled to recapture that form.

Aiden Brookes, his regular rider, has partnered him in 28 races and won twice together — a 7 percent win rate with Arranmore, higher than the horse's overall average but still modest. Trainer Micky Hammond's Middleham yard is in good form this season with 31 winners sent out so far, and Hammond clearly believes there is still something left in this old campaigner. Arranmore raced just a day ago, so he remains active, but at nine years old and with his best days apparently behind him, finding another race day like that Southwell afternoon in March is becoming increasingly unlikely.