Snipe

What makes Snipe particularly interesting is how strongly he responds to wet conditions. On soft ground he wins 3 from 11 races — about 1 in every 4 — but on genuinely heavy, muddy ground that figure jumps to 2 wins from just 3 attempts, a remarkable 67%. That kind of record tells you something real: this is a horse who doesn't just cope with a wet winter's day, he actively thrives in it. His most recent win came at Leicester in March 2026, five weeks ago, suggesting he is in very good form right now. Two wins from his last 6 races backs that up — that is a sharp recent run by any standard.

His most regular partner in the saddle has been Harry Skelton, the trainer's brother, who has ridden him to 3 of his 5 career wins from 14 races together — winning roughly 1 in every 5. After one particularly hard-fought victory, the rider who had the mount that day, Dominic Lewis, was open about what it had taken: he'd been chasing a winner all season and refused to give up on Snipe at the last fence, watching him gain ground with every jump before flying the final obstacle and holding on. It's the kind of story that explains why people follow a horse across a whole career.

Dan Skelton has spoken warmly about Snipe's future, noting after an Aintree run that the horse could be a serious contender over marathon distances in the spring, and that he believes Snipe stays any trip you care to throw at him. He typically competes in Class 3 company — solid, competitive racing one rung below the very top level — winning 1 from 8 at that grade, which is honest rather than spectacular, but the trainer's ambitions clearly extend further. A horse who loves a test of stamina, improves with distance, and runs his best in the worst weather is exactly the sort that catches people's attention when the big winter prizes come around.