American Sniper

Pipe and his team at Nicholashayne in Somerset have been planning something ambitious. After the Newbury win, they suggested their horse might be entered in the prestigious Cheltenham Festival if the weights worked in his favour — a bold ambition for a horse who has typically competed in Class 3 company, where he has won just once from 16 attempts. The jockey Jack Tudor, who rides him regularly though with modest success rates overall, noted after Newbury that the distance was new territory and the plan had been to build a strong lead early and let American Sniper settle into his stride. That tactical approach seems to be working.

The recent recovery makes sense when you look at recent outings. His last six races show a first-place finish most recently, plus a second and third, scattered among some midfield efforts. He is clearly hitting better form at the right moment, and Newton Abbot clearly brings out the best in him. With Pipe's yard in strong form this season and American Sniper enjoying the firmer ground conditions that have suited him in recent victories, he looks like a horse worth watching as autumn progresses.