Jockey Merlin ap Rhys is being blackmailed - or at least he thinks that's why lurid images are being sent to his mobile phone. Trying to discover who is doing this, and why, Merlin finds himself accused of murder. Star Irish racehorse Katseye joins his brother Tabikat at Sampfield Grange and is bought by charismatic Italian aircraft manufacturer Arturo Ardizzone. When one of Arturo's advanced aircraft crashes in flames on a stormy night at a nearby airfield, it becomes clear that someone is hellbent on revenge and that Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival will provide the opportunity.