Sure And Stedfast

The most telling numbers are on normal ground. In those conditions, Sure And Stedfast has won 2 of 10 races — a 20% win rate that comfortably beats its overall average. That might sound modest until you consider that most horses at this level would be delighted with one win in every five attempts on their preferred surface. When the track is playing fair, this horse is a different animal. It also seems to find its best form over a mile and a bit — at distances between 1m1f and 1m2f, it has won 1 from 3, meaning it has won a third of its races at that trip. That is a striking number and worth remembering.

The two wins have come at recognisable tracks — Ayr in July 2025 and Carlisle in September 2025 — both of which sit neatly within the orbit of trainer Ewan Whillans, who runs his yard out of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Whillans has sent out 28 winners this season, which is a solid operation by any measure. Jockey Rowan Scott does most of the steering, winning 1 from 7 rides together — not a spectacular ratio, but they have clearly found the winning formula at least once.

Recent form reads 3-10-2-8-1-6 with the most recent run first, which is a mixed picture. That third-place finish last time out is encouraging, especially given the horse raced just yesterday and is clearly being kept busy. The September win at Carlisle was its most recent victory, now nine months ago, so the yard will be hoping that third place signals a return to something close to its best. Competing mainly at Class 5 — the bread-and-butter level of British racing — it has won 2 from 9 at that grade, just over 1 in every 4 attempts, which is a perfectly respectable conversion rate for a horse finding its feet at this level. Put it on normal ground, over a mile and a bit, and it is worth a second look.