Noel Meade record in Jan/Feb

It's quite a remarkable fact that Meade consistently trains three-times more winners in the Oct-Dec period than in Jan-Mar every year. His season almost seems to be winding down come January and the strike-rate for the winter season is twice that of spring.

It's no surprise his Cheltenham record is so patchy when the horses are trained to peak in November/December.

The one month worthy of more attention is May every year where I suspect the general level of fitness is improved to anticipate Punchestown. There is a very healthy hurdling strike-rate of 23% for the past five years (above his average) and its probably a month worth studying in more detail to see where the winners have come from. As the sample size is just 78 runners (18 winners) over five years if you don't have access to an on-line database the annual record is available (race-by-race) on HRI's Go Racing.

Thanks RA, I've got a good bit of info on the stats but I was just wondering if there's any known reason for the slump in these months?

doubt there's anything sinister at work. Its possible he found it easier to win the big winter graded contests when all others were gearing to Cheltenham and this has become his regular modus operandum.