Gunsight Ridge

The Sandown connection is the heart of this horse's profile. From 5 races at that track, Gunsight Ridge has won twice and placed in others. That is a remarkable return for a horse competing at that level, and the wins came three years apart — January 2022 and February 2025 — which suggests this is not a fluke or a quirk of timing, but something genuine about how the horse handles that particular course. Mike Sowersby, who trains him from a small yard in North Yorkshire, was openly relieved after the most recent Sandown win, admitting he had been worried about the ground on the day. The fact it came off anyway says something about the horse's ability when the conditions suit.

Sowersby currently has 8 winners on the board this season and clearly thinks there is more to come from Gunsight Ridge. Speaking in October, he flagged a veterans' series final at Haydock over two and a half miles as a potential target — a race designed for older horses with experience, which this one has in abundance. He also mentioned soft or wet ground as the key requirement. That is worth noting for anyone following him through the winter months.

The most regular partner in the saddle has been Sean Bowen, who has ridden him in 12 of his 21 races and won twice — a win rate of around 1 in 6 together. Gunsight Ridge has not won in his last 6 outings, with a third place being the highlight of recent runs, but he raced just yesterday and is clearly still an active, competitive horse. At 11, he is getting on in racing terms, but Sowersby's comments suggest he is sound, well and being aimed at races he can win. A horse who beats Class 2 fields at Sandown does not become uninteresting just because he has had a quiet spell.