The numbers around Nathan Crosse, who rides Morning Approach more than anyone else, sum things up neatly: one win from 25 races together, a win rate of just 4%. That is a long partnership with modest results to show for it, though loyalty between horse and jockey counts for something, and Crosse clearly knows this horse as well as anyone. Where Morning Approach does give itself the best chance is on normal ground conditions — it has won 2 of its 22 races in those circumstances, a win rate of around 1 in 11, which is meaningfully better than its overall record.
The yard behind the horse, W McCreery's operation based in Rathbride, Co Kildare, has sent out 21 winners already this season, so this is not a struggling stable. Morning Approach simply appears to be one of those honest, hard-working horses that earns its place on the track without often reaching the top of a field. The horse raced just yesterday, which at least confirms it is fit, healthy, and still in active training — not a horse being wound down, but one the team evidently believes still has a race to win. Whether that moment arrives any time soon is the question the recent form makes difficult to answer with much confidence.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk Galloping |
22 | 2 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, 16 other | 6 Feb | 9.1% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
9 | 1 win, 2 seconds, 6 other | 16 May | 11.1% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
6 | 1 second, 5 other | 17 Oct | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 14 Aug | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
3 | 2 thirds, 1 other | 26 Jul | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
3 | 3 other | 16 Apr | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
3 | 3 other | 11 May | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 25 Aug | 0% |
| Limerick Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 11 Jun | 0% |
| Tipperary Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 2 Jul | 0% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 13 Sep | 0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 1 Jun | 0% |