Horse profile
Play By The Rules (IRE)
29 runs · 22 courses · from May 2021
As at 25 Oct 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
Won at Taunton
Beaten favourite LTO
Last run 28 May 2026 · 2nd of 4
Last raced off OR 75
KTB Profile
Play By The Rules is 1 from 29 with the win coming at Class 5 level in the William Hill Daily Cheltenham Offers Handicap Hurdle at Taunton over 2m1f – 2m4f on good to soft in Mar 2023. The gelding has not won since. He finished 2 of 4 when beaten favourite at Market Rasen in May 2026 in a Class 5 handicap chase, last raced off OR 75 which is 27lb below his highest ever mark. All runs have been on turf.
Based on 29 archived runs · run-style from 5 commented runs since Aug 2024 · updated 25 Oct 2026
KTB at a glance
Typically prominent
Win at Class 5
OR ↓ 27lb off peak
- 1–29Wins / Runs
- 3.4%Strike rate
- 3 (10.3%)Placed
- −17.00£1 level staken=29 at SP
- 0.40Fair A/E n=29 · 0.35 incl. margin
- 102Highest OR
- 66dAvg between runs
A/E compares actual wins with what starting prices implied. "Fair" strips the bookmaker margin from the expectation, so favourites and longshots are judged on the same footing — figures near 1.00 mean the market priced this horse about right.
Official rating75↓ 27lb off peak
75
70–102
KTB Speed and Rating
KTB Speed
Best recent Speed 83
How fast the horse ran, as points against the day-corrected standard time for its course and distance: 100 is the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on that code; one point is 0.1% of the standard time. A, B or C is how much the day's card could tell us, not how good the run was. What this means →
Jumps
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 8 | 113C | 87 | 1 run · — |
| Good to Soft | 5 | 94A | 73 | 1 run · — |
| Soft | 2 | 107A | 79.5 | — |
| Heavy | 1 | — | — | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 7 | 107A | 81 | 1 run · — |
| 2m5f – 3m | 5 | 113C | 83 | 1 run · — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 4 | 93A | 79 | — |
Flat
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 5 | 98A | 82 | — |
| Soft | 3 | 79A | 74 | — |
| Good to Soft | 1 | — | — | — |
| Good to Firm | 1 | — | — | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 4 | 101C | 96 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 3 | 82A | 69 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 3 | 79A | 74 | — |
Of 29 runs looked at, 3 have no figure: did not complete (2) · not enough races on the card to set the day (under 4) (1).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 26 figures from 29 runs · as at 3 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast
Both figures are KTB's own, computed from the archive; no vendor rating enters either. Every run's figure is on its form line below with its grade. Grades measure how much the archive could see, never the merit of the run.
Run style from 5 analysed runs since Aug 2024
- Prominent 3 (60%) · 0 wins
- Held up 1 (20%) · 0 wins
- Mid-division 1 (20%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Sire
Progeny in our archive have won 6.7% of 2,031 runs since Jan 2008 (172 horses).
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 1 | 0 | 0% | −6.7 | — |
| Good to Firm | 170 | 14 | 8.2% | +1.5 | 0 from 1 |
| Good | 555 | 40 | 7.2% | +0.5 | 0 from 14 |
| Good to Soft | 209 | 14 | 6.7% | 0 | 1 from 6 |
| Soft | 594 | 37 | 6.2% | −0.5 | 0 from 7 |
| Heavy | 244 | 21 | 8.6% | +1.9 | 0 from 1 |
| Standard (AW) | 258 | 10 | 3.9% | −2.8 | — |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6f | 76 | 5 | 6.6% | −0.1 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 586 | 50 | 8.5% | +1.8 | 0 from 3 |
| 1m – 1m1f | 542 | 31 | 5.7% | −1 | 0 from 3 |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 357 | 17 | 4.8% | −1.9 | 0 from 4 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 275 | 19 | 6.9% | +0.2 | 0 from 4 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 156 | 12 | 7.7% | +1 | 1 from 10 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 39 | 2 | 5.1% | −1.6 | 0 from 5 |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Jan 2008 · as at 25 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
Dam
1 sibling in the archive, 1 winner — best of them Allagar (IRE) (1 win).
The wins came over 7f.
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allagar (IRE) | 18 | 1 | 7f | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 14 | 0 | 0% | −14.00 |
| Soft | 7 | 0 | 0% | −7.00 |
| Good to Soft | 6 | 1 | 17% | +6.00 |
| Heavy | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Good to Firm | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Class | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 5 | 13 | 1 | 8% | −1.00 |
| Class 4 | 7 | 0 | 0% | −7.00 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Rasen | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Hexham | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Newcastle | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Taunton | 2 | 1 | 50% | +10.00 |
| Wetherby | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Killarney | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Curragh | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Perth | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Stratford | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Worcester | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Huntingdon | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Fontwell | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sedgefield | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Hereford | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Doncaster | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Exeter | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Ffos Las | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sligo | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Limerick | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Leopardstown | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Thurles | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Cork | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 10 | 1 | 10% | +2.00 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| 1m – 1m1f | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| 6f – 7f | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Noonan | 9 | 1 | 11% | +3.00 |
| Kevin Manning | 7 | 0 | 0% | −7.00 |
| Lorcan Murtagh | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Tom Buckley | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Ryan Mania | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Rory Cleary | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Joshua Thompson | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Miss Ella Herbison | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| James Davies | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tongue tie + cheekpieces | 16 | 1 | 6% | −4.00 |
| None | 8 | 0 | 0% | −8.00 |
| Tongue tie | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Cheekpieces | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | 0% | −9.00 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | 20% | +7.00 |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurdle | 10 | 1 | 10% | +2.00 |
| Flat | 10 | 0 | 0% | −10.00 |
| Chase | 9 | 0 | 0% | −9.00 |
Splits include every sample, however small — muted rows are under 3 runs. A one-from-one record is a fact, not a trend: read the Runs column before the strike rate.
Form
| Date | Course | Race | Pos | Btn | Wgt | OR | Spd | KTB | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 · 3 runs | ||||||||||
| 28 May 26+26d | Market Rasen | Geoff Handley's Grand 80th Handicap Chase Sat behind winner but backward at the opening obstacle - regained second spot from the 4th - moved in front two out - drifted right and hit the last - eased up briefly - rallied to go down by a short margin | 2/4 | hd | 10-6 | 75 | 113C | 105B | Ryan Mania | 13/8F |
| 02 May 26+32d | Hexham | Elizabeth Elliott Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase Settled close to the pace - brought down at the 4th | BD/13 | — | 9-12 | 75 | — | — | Joshua Thompson | 5/1 |
| 31 Mar 26+516d | Newcastle | Border Minstrel Sunday Lunch Handicap Chase Settled in the pack early - improved into contention after 4 out then pushed along approaching 2 out - lost ground before the last and faded to finish fifth | 5/10 | 8 | 10-6 | 75 | 62A | 92A | Ryan Mania | 3/1 |
| 2024 · 9 runs | ||||||||||
| 31 Oct 24+75d | Newcastle | Dunes Open Everyday From 10am Handicap Chase Settled just off the pace early - flat over the 10th - unable to quicken from 3 out and beaten into 4th | 4/7 | 2½ | 10-3 | 80 | 83A | 90B | David Noonan | 9/1 |
| 17 Aug 24+34d | Perth | Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Chase Up with the front group - dropped away 4 out under pressure - kept on without troubling the principals | 5/12 | 6½ | 10-9 | 81 | 80A | 95A | David Noonan | 7/1 |
| 14 Jul 24+21d | Stratford | Barbara Shepherd 80th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase | 5/12 | ¾ | 10-6 | 83 | 69A | 95A | David Noonan | 14/1 |
| 23 Jun 24+22d | Hexham | Langley Castle An Award Winning Hotel Handicap Chase | 5/9 | nk | 10-4 | 85 | 97A | 96A | David Noonan | 11/1 |
| 01 Jun 24+11d | Worcester | Law Done Differently Handicap Chase | 5/14 | 21 | 11-4 | 88 | 91C | 87C | Lorcan Murtagh | 33/1 |
| 21 May 24+41d | Huntingdon | My Pension Expert Unlocks Pension Potential Handicap Chase | 4/6 | 21 | 11-7 | 93 | 80B | 85B | David Noonan | 22/1 |
| 10 Apr 24+15d | Market Rasen | 'Rasen Rocks' Featuring Ella Henderson Handicap Hurdle | 9/11 | ½ | 11-10 | 96 | 94A | 105A | David Noonan | 33/1 |
| 26 Mar 24+26d | Taunton | Blackbrook Primary Racing To School 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs) | RO/13 | — | 10-10 | 97 | — | — | Miss Ella Herbison | 28/1 |
| 29 Feb 24+79d | Wetherby | Follow RacingTV On Twitter Handicap Hurdle | 10/10 | 18 | 12-0 | 100 | — | 91C | David Noonan | 16/1 |
| 2023 · 5 runs | ||||||||||
| 12 Dec 23+26d | Fontwell | John And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle | 5/6 | 9 | 11-13 | 101 | 81B | 94B | Lorcan Murtagh | 8/1 |
| 16 Nov 23+224d | Sedgefield | Paxtons No1 CaseIH Dealer In UK&Ireland Handicap Hurdle | 5/8 | 2¼ | 11-0 | 102 | 107A | 102A | Lorcan Murtagh | 25/1 |
| 06 Apr 23+24d | Hereford | Cazoo Novices' Handicap Hurdle | 2/9 | 2 | 11-2 | 101 | 85C | 122A | David Noonan | 9/2 |
| 13 Mar 23+32d | Taunton | William Hill Daily Cheltenham Offers Handicap Hurdle | 1/13 | 10-9 | 90 | 61B | 113A | David Noonan | 11/1 | |
| 09 Feb 23+44d | Doncaster | Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) | 8/11 | 1¾ | 11-0 | — | 93A | 96A | James Davies | 50/1 |
| 2022 · 6 runs | ||||||||||
| 27 Dec 22+37d | Wetherby | William Hill Plus Card Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) | 7/14 | 2½ | 10-11 | — | 52C | 88C | Tom Buckley | 14/1 |
| 20 Nov 22+86d | Exeter | Devon Air Ambulance Trust Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) | 3/5 | 5 | 10-11 | — | 73C | 102B | Tom Buckley | 14/1 |
| 26 Aug 22+101d | Ffos Las | Plumbase Handicap | 9/9 | 19 | 8-11 | 70 | 94C | 47C | Tom Buckley | 50/1 |
| 17 May 22+24d | Sligo | Kilcawley Construction Handicap (50-85) | 8/13 | 2 | 8-7 | 73 | 101C | 64A | Rory Cleary | 9/2 |
| 23 Apr 22+21d | Limerick | Establishment Bar Handicap | 4/8 | 1½ | 9-2 | 74 | 98A | 77A | Kevin Manning | 5/1 |
| 02 Apr 22+177d | Leopardstown | Leopardstown Members Handicap | 4/10 | 1¾ | 9-0 | 74 | 77A | 71A | Kevin Manning | 16/1 |
| 2021 · 6 runs | ||||||||||
| 07 Oct 21+49d | Thurles | Thurles Nursery Handicap | 4/5 | 2 | 8-10 | 74 | 56C | 69B | Kevin Manning | 4/1 |
| 19 Aug 21+36d | Killarney | Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend Nursery Handicap | 2/7 | 1¼ | 9-5 | 73 | 69A | 79A | Kevin Manning | 11/2 |
| 14 Jul 21+17d | Killarney | Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race | 4/8 | 1¼ | 9-0 | — | 82A | 71A | Kevin Manning | 25/1 |
| 27 Jun 21+25d | Curragh | Barronstown Stud Irish European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden | 9/9 | 1 | 9-5 | — | 61A | 65A | Rory Cleary | 33/1 |
| 02 Jun 21+14d | Curragh | Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden | 8/11 | ¾ | 9-5 | — | 74A | 69A | Kevin Manning | 25/1 |
| 19 May 21 | Cork | Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden | 6/11 | hd | 9-0 | — | 79A | 66A | Kevin Manning | 14/1 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Play By The Rules won?
- Play By The Rules (IRE) won 1 of 29 archived starts between 2021 and 2026, a strike rate of 3.4%. Placed 3 times in total (10.3% of starts).
- Who trains Play By The Rules?
- Play By The Rules (IRE) is trained by Adam Nicol, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 28 May 2026.
- Who is Play By The Rules's sire?
- Play By The Rules (IRE) is by Vocalised (USA) out of Teodolite (IRE), whose sire is Teofilo.
- What going does Play By The Rules prefer?
- Play By The Rules (IRE) has the best record on good to soft going: 1 win from 6 starts (16.7%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Play By The Rules's official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 75, from the run on 28 May 2026. The highest on record is 102.
- What is Play By The Rules's sire's record?
- Vocalised (USA)'s progeny in our archive have won 6.7% of 2,031 runs since Jan 2008 (172 horses), Flat and jumps together.
- Who are Play By The Rules's siblings?
- Out of Teodolite (IRE), Play By The Rules (IRE) has 1 other produce in our archive, 1 of them a winner. Most wins: Allagar (IRE) (1). The wins came over 7f. As at Oct 2026.