Speed Davis

The most striking thing about Speed Davis is what he does at Musselburgh. That tight, flat track on the outskirts of Edinburgh has suited him like a glove — he has won 2 of his 3 races there, making him one of those horses that simply clicks with a particular venue. That kind of record at a specific course is the sort of thing seasoned racegoers take very seriously. It's not luck at that point; it's a pattern.

His most recent win came at Bangor-on-Dee just this week, which shows the horse is in fine form right now. Brian Hughes, who rides him more than anyone else, has partnered Speed Davis to both of his wins in their last 6 races together, and Hughes has spoken warmly about his jumping — noting he can still be a little green at times but that the basics are clearly there. Donald McCain had his wind surgically treated after a disappointing summer, and the improvement since suggests that intervention has made a real difference.

Most of his races have come at Class 4 level — a solid, competitive middle tier — and his win rate there is 1 from 8, or around 12%, which is modest but not unusual for a horse still finding his feet at that grade. What's more interesting is the trajectory: 2 wins from his last 6 races suggests he is coming into form at exactly the right time. For a horse that was still finding himself not so long ago, Speed Davis is starting to look like he knows exactly what he's doing.