The Craftymaster

What's most interesting about The Craftymaster right now is his recent form. In his last six races, he has won three times, including a victory at Newmarket just four weeks ago. That is proper momentum. He is not on a hot streak in the way a flash-in-the-pan horse might be, but he is performing consistently at a level that matters, and he was back in action just yesterday, which means the yard believe there is more to come from him this season.

The partnership between The Craftymaster and jockey William Carson has been particularly productive. Carson has won on him 9 times from 29 rides together—a win rate of 31%, well above what either might achieve separately. That kind of synergy matters. It suggests the jockey understands how to get the best from this particular horse, and the trainer Tony Carroll, based at Cropthorne in Worcestershire, has clearly built something that works. Carroll's yard has sent out 136 winners already this season, so The Craftymaster is operating within a well-oiled operation.

There is one track where The Craftymaster stands out: Wolverhampton. He has won 4 of his 11 races there—a return of better than 1 in 3—which is the kind of course mastery that savvy racing people notice and remember. It is not the most glamorous track on the calendar, but it is proof that he has a genuine edge in the right conditions and at the right venue. At Class 5 level, where he typically competes, he has won 3 from 14 races, which keeps him honest and competitive without asking him to punch above his weight.