Static

The first of those wins came at Haydock Park in early March, and trainer Donald McCain made clear afterwards that he had always believed the track would bring out the best in Static. That instinct proved right. McCain described him as a "good, hardy horse who wears his heart on his sleeve" — which is trainer-speak for a horse that gives everything it has even when conditions aren't perfectly in its favour. The second win followed at Bangor-on-Dee just over a fortnight later, cementing the sense that something has clicked.

The partnership with jockey Charlie Maggs is worth noting. In seven races together, they have won two — a win rate of 29%, or just under 1 in 3. That is meaningfully higher than Static's overall record and suggests the two have developed a real understanding. In a sport where the relationship between horse and rider can make or break a race, that kind of consistency is exactly what a yard wants to build on.

The one complication in the picture is that Static has so far drawn a blank in the top-tier races he has been asked to run in — five attempts at that level, no wins. That gap between competing at the highest grade and actually winning there is normal for most horses, but it does suggest his sweet spot may be one step down, where he can dominate rather than merely compete. McCain's yard has sent out 55 winners this season, so there is no shortage of confidence behind him. With two wins in three weeks and a jockey who clearly suits, Static is a horse worth keeping an eye on.