What makes that win particularly interesting is the context of his recent form. Looking at his last six races — second, third, third, seventh, second, and then a winner — you can see a horse who had been consistently finishing in the frame before that brief dip to seventh and then a swift return to form. The Doncaster victory feels like the reward for a run of solid, patient performances rather than a bolt from the blue.
The Lambourn-based yard he runs from has been in good shape this season, sending out 20 winners, so Pyleates is contributing to what looks like a productive campaign for Muir and Grassick. It is worth noting, though, that his win came at a slightly higher level than where he has spent most of his career. At Class 5 — the bread-and-butter tier of British racing — he has raced three times without winning. The fact that he broke his duck stepping up in class, rather than dropping down, suggests there may be more to him than his record at that level implied. Whether he can back it up is the question everyone connected with him will be asking.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandown Park Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 3 Jul | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
2 | 2 thirds | 18 May | 0% |
| Doncaster Galloping |
1 | 1 win | 18 Jul | 100% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 31 Oct | 0% |
| Kempton Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 15 Oct | 0% |