A Major Payne

Over the last six races, A Major Payne has won twice and finished second or third the other four times. That is a horse in the form of its life. It first broke its duck at Nottingham back in June, then followed that up with a win at Windsor just this week — so it is live and racing right now, carrying genuine momentum. Back-to-back wins like that are worth paying attention to.

The distance tells an important story too. At a mile and three furlongs to a mile and four furlongs, this horse has won 2 of 7 races — nearly 1 in every 3. That is a sharp contrast to its overall record and suggests the trip genuinely suits it. Horses often take time to find their best distance, and A Major Payne looks to have found its sweet spot.

One quirk worth noting: despite running nine times at Class 4 level — the bread-and-butter tier of British racing — it has never won there. Both wins have come elsewhere. Whether that reflects the specific competition it has faced or something about how the races are run is hard to say, but it is an odd gap in an otherwise improving record.

A Major Payne is trained by Michael Bell at Newmarket, one of the sport's most famous training centres in Suffolk. Bell's yard has sent out 44 winners already this season, which speaks to a well-organised operation. Regular jockey Hector Crouch has yet to win on the horse across five rides together, but given the current form, that partnership looks due a change of luck.