Idy Wood

The headline moment of Idy Wood's recent career came at Kempton Park in November 2025, where he won a Class 2 race — one of the top grades in British racing. It's worth pausing on that. Kempton has clearly become something of a favourite venue, and the trainer has spoken openly about his horse's liking for the track. Kempton runs on an all-weather surface, which stays consistent whatever the weather does outside, and Idy Wood appears to thrive on it. Since that win, his form has been patchier — a couple of second places, a fourth, and a couple of disappointing runs mixed in — but given he was only racing yesterday, the story is far from over.

What makes this horse particularly interesting is the partnership with jockey Gavin Sheehan. Together they've won 7 of their 15 races — that's 47%, nearly 1 in every 2 times they've teamed up. That kind of chemistry between horse and rider is rare, and it's the sort of stat that makes punters very interested when Sheehan's name appears in the racecard. The trainer has also hinted at a potential run at Cheltenham's Festival, specifically a race called the Martin Pipe — one of the highest-profile staying hurdle races at the sport's showpiece meeting. That alone suggests the team believe there's a big day still to come.

Snowden's yard has been in fine form this season with 82 winners, so Idy Wood is operating in a sharp, well-organised stable. He started his career at Newbury back in February 2023, and while his Class 3 record — 1 win from 6 races at that level — suggests he can find life tougher against the very best, at Kempton in Class 2 he showed he can rise to the occasion when conditions suit. A horse with this much experience, this much heart, and a Cheltenham Festival entry on the horizon is one to keep an eye on.