Mister Cessna

The numbers get more interesting when you look at where he thrives. On normal ground he has won twice from five races — a 40% win rate that stands out sharply from his overall record. Stretch him to distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, and he has won half his races run at that trip, two wins from four attempts. Pair those conditions together and you have a horse with real strengths. Jonathan Burke, his most regular partner, has ridden him to victory twice from six races together, a 33% partnership that suggests genuine understanding between horse and jockey.

Yet Mister Cessna remains a horse of frustrating inconsistency. His last six races — all run in the past year — read 4-7-4-6-2-1, which is a dizzying mix of near-misses and ordinary efforts. He raced just a day ago, so the yard clearly has him wound up and ready. O'Brien, whose Withington yard has sent out 90 winners already this season, clearly believes there is still more to come. The trainer has mentioned eyeing up better company — specifically the Boodles, one of the top races in British jumping — if the horse can earn his way there. Right now, though, Mister Cessna remains what he has always been: capable on his day, but far from certain to show up.