What is worth paying attention to, though, is where this horse is being trained. Andrew Balding's yard at Kingsclere in Hampshire has sent out 202 winners already this season — a remarkable volume that puts it among the most productive operations in the country. A trainer firing at that rate does not run horses just to fill entries. Storm Blade may still be finding its feet, but it is doing so in an environment built for winners.
With only two races to go on and the most recent coming just yesterday, it is genuinely too early to write much of a verdict. Some two-year-olds take four or five races before the penny drops. The fourth-place finish is the more encouraging of the two results — a step in the right direction, even if there is clearly a gap to close. Storm Blade is one to keep an eye on rather than one to get excited about just yet.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 1 Jun | 0% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 3 Jul | 0% |