Double Oban

The standout partnership here is with jockey Sean Bowen. In five rides together, Bowen has steered Double Oban to victory 3 times — a success rate of 60%, which is striking. That kind of record between a jockey and horse often signals a real understanding, a feel for how the animal runs best. Trainer Olly Murphy's yard at Wilmcote has been in excellent form, sending out 146 winners this season, so the stable is clearly firing.

Recent form, however, paints a more complicated picture. Double Oban's last six races show a second place, a fifth, another fifth, then a victory, followed by a second and a ninth. That most recent ninth-place finish, just one day ago, is the kind of dud that happens to every horse. What's worth noting is that last Leicester victory back in December — that was almost ten months ago, a long drought for a horse that had been winning regularly. The real puzzle is why a horse that was clearly competitive has gone so long without adding to its tally. Class 4 racing, the level where Double Oban typically competes, is competitive enough; winning just once from 9 attempts at that standard suggests it is operating at the limit of its ability.