Watchoutitscookie

The vast majority of its career has been spent in Class 5 races, the bread-and-butter tier of British racing, and its 2 wins from 27 races at that level — roughly 1 in every 14 — reflects a horse operating at a modest but consistent level. What's more telling is how it performs when the ground gets soft and slightly wet underfoot: 2 wins from 9 races in those conditions works out at 22%, or roughly 1 in every 4 to 5 races. That is a genuinely meaningful difference. When the mud comes, Watchoutitscookie becomes a different proposition.

Its two career wins are separated by nearly two years — the first at Wincanton in March 2023, the second at Newcastle in December 2024. The yard behind it is Nigel Hawke's operation in Stoodleigh, Devon, a small rural setup that has nevertheless sent out 9 winners this season, suggesting a trainer who knows how to place his horses well. Lorcan Murtagh has ridden Watchoutitscookie eight times, winning once together — a partnership that works, even if it doesn't dazzle.

The recent form reads 7-3-7-3-2-10, which is a mixed bag — a couple of close calls sandwiched around some quieter efforts. No wins in the last six races, and the last victory came 17 months ago. But this horse raced just yesterday, which means it's still in work, still being aimed at opportunities, and still capable of that second-place finish that keeps everyone interested. For a horse with modest numbers on paper, there's something genuinely likeable about the fact that it keeps placing, keeps running, and on the right soft-ground day, remains the kind of runner that could catch you by surprise.