Sir David

The horse has raced 20 times and won twice, a 10% success rate that reflects a steady, workmanlike presence in the lower tiers of racing. What is more telling is where he wins: at distances between seven furlongs and a mile, he has won 2 of his 10 races—a 20% win rate—which is exactly double his overall record. Ask his trainer, Nigel Tinkler, and the data backs up the instinct: this is Sir David's sweet spot. Outside that range, he struggles to find the frame. At Beverley this week, he clearly had all the ingredients right. The four-year-old also racks up places regularly; six podium finishes from 20 races keeps him ticking over, and his last six outings tell a story of inconsistency—a third-place finish sandwiched between some well-beaten efforts—but the win proves he is still capable when conditions suit.

Tinkler's yard at Langton, in North Yorkshire, has sent out 37 winners this season, a productive outfit that knows how to find the right races for its horses. Sir David may not be a star, but his recent victory shows he is not done yet. The next few weeks will be interesting: if the yard can pick a similar distance on a track that brings out his best, there could be another win in him soon.