Percy Shelley

Both of those wins have come over long distances — two miles or more — and that is where Percy Shelley clearly comes alive. He has won 2 of his 11 races over that kind of trip, which works out at roughly 1 in every 5 or 6, and that number genuinely stands out compared to his overall record. Stamina is his weapon, and trainer James Owen knows it. Owen's yard at Newmarket has sent out 204 winners this season alone — that is a serious operation — and when he singles out a horse on a stable tour, it is worth paying attention.

Owen has spoken warmly about Percy Shelley, noting that he won tidily on his hurdles debut at Uttoxeter in September before following up at Ludlow in October. That Ludlow win came eight months ago now, but the recent run of places suggests the ability is still very much there. The interesting next step is a race at Cheltenham over two miles and four furlongs — one of the most famous tracks in jump racing, a proper test of both horse and rider, and exactly the kind of trip that suits him.

One small puzzle in the record is the partnership with jockey Daniel Tudhope. They have raced together five times without a win. That is not necessarily damning — horses win with different riders for all sorts of reasons — but it is a number worth noting. Percy Shelley has clearly shown he can win; the question is finding the right combination of track, trip, and conditions. With Cheltenham next on the agenda and a trainer who clearly believes in him, the next few weeks could be the most interesting chapter yet in this horse's career.