Woven

The key to Woven is the ground. On wet or muddy going, he transforms. He has won 2 of his 13 races in those conditions — a 15% win rate, or roughly 1 in every 6 or 7 — which is nearly double his overall average. Trainer Michael Dods, whose yard at Piercebridge in County Durham has sent out 43 winners this season alone, has been clear about it: this horse needs cut underfoot to show his best. When the skies open, Woven becomes a different proposition entirely.

His most recent win came at Ayr in October 2025, seven months ago, in conditions that suited him perfectly. But even that victory came with a catch. Dods has spoken openly about the weight problem — Woven had to carry 10st 2lb around Ayr, which was a significant ask for a horse who is not especially big. The handicapper, in Dods's words, never really relents with horses like him. Woven won off a mark of 83 back in May 2023 and needs to be operating around that kind of weight to be seriously competitive. When his official rating crept up to 88, it proved exactly what the team had feared.

Most of his races — 22 of 38 — have come at Class 3 level, which sits just below the top tier of British racing. He has won 2 of those 22, a 9% win rate. Connor Beasley has partnered him more than any other jockey, riding him 11 times without a win, though given how specific Woven's requirements are — soft ground, the right weight — that probably says more about circumstances than ability.

What makes Woven genuinely interesting is the combination of longevity and specificity. He raced just yesterday, still active at ten, still waiting for the conditions to fall right. When the forecast says rain, he is worth a second look.