Tactical Blitz

The key to unlocking this horse's potential appears to be trip and partnership. Over shorter distances between five and six and a half furlongs, Tactical Blitz has won one from four races — a quarter of its runs at that distance — which is markedly better than its overall record and suggests the horse is suited to a quicker gallop rather than a slog. Jockey Hollie Doyle, who has ridden the horse five times, has also struck a one-in-five win rate in the saddle, which is a better return than the horse manages on average. When trainer Liam Bailey pairs them together at the right distance, there's genuine potential to get another winner on the board.

The immediate problem is that Tactical Blitz has not yet won at the higher Class 4 level — zero wins from three attempts — which suggests the horse may be outgunned at that grade. Tactical Blitz runs best in lower company, and the recent third-place finish came just days after last racing, so form is building. With Bailey's Middleham yard in good form this season, having already sent out seventeen winners, there's an efficient operation behind the horse. One win in seven months is not a confident record, but one win in four races at the right trip is a statistic worth remembering when the horse lines up at five or six furlongs next time.