Opal Storm

The headline stat is Carlisle. In just three visits to the Cumbrian track, Opal Storm has won twice — that's a 67% win rate at a single course, which is the kind of record that makes punters sit up. Most horses run dozens of times at their favourite track and never find that kind of consistency. Whatever it is about Carlisle — the layout, the undulations, the atmosphere — this horse genuinely thrives there. The first career win came at Carlisle in September 2023, and clearly something clicked that day.

Ground matters enormously with Opal Storm. On fast, dry ground, the record jumps to 3 wins from 12 races — 1 in every 4 — compared to just 1 win from the remaining 25 races on other ground. That's not a coincidence, that's a horse with a clear preference, and it means the team at Oswaldkirk will be watching weather forecasts closely whenever they target a race. Class 5 — the bread-and-butter level where most working racehorses spend their careers — has been the primary battleground, with 3 of those 4 wins coming at that level from 19 races, or roughly 1 in 6.

The partnership with jockey Aiden Brookes is the longest-running relationship in the horse's career: 29 races together, 3 of the 4 wins, and a clear sense that Brookes understands how to get the best out of this particular animal. The most recent win came at Southwell just five weeks ago in April 2026, so this is a horse in current form rather than one living off past glories. Recent runs show a first-place finish sandwiched between a couple of mid-pack efforts, which is fairly typical of a horse operating at this level — they need things to fall right.

Brian Rothwell's yard has sent out just one winner this season, making Opal Storm their standout performer right now. Raced as recently as yesterday, this is an active, competing horse — and with dry ground and another trip to Carlisle, it could easily add to that tally.