Axel Bleue

The horse has been particularly sharp lately. Over the last six races, Axel Bleue has won twice and finished in the top three in four of them, which is exactly the kind of form that keeps owners and trainers coming back. It last won at Worcester seven weeks ago, a course where it has become something of a specialist: two wins from six races there is a serious win rate that the horse will be expected to replicate whenever it returns. Worcester clearly suits this runner, and that's valuable information for the yard.

Axel Bleue is trained by Mickey Bowen at Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, a yard that has sent out 52 winners already this season — a sign of a busy, competitive operation. In the saddle, the horse has been most often partnered with James Bowen, winning two of seven races together, matching the overall win rate. The partnership clearly works. At Class 4 level, where Axel Bleue typically competes, it has won one of four races — a 25 per cent win rate that shows it is competitive at that grade, even if not dominant. The horse remains active and was last seen just a day ago, suggesting more racing is likely on the immediate horizon.