Air Force One

Geoff Oldroyd trains out of Pocklington in North Yorkshire, and his yard has been in fine form this season with 13 winners already on the board. When a smaller regional yard is firing like that, it usually means the horses are being placed well and handled with care — and Air Force One looks like a good example of that approach. The horse got its first career win at Navan back in May 2024, and most recently scored at Beverley just four weeks ago, on 15 April 2026.

The most interesting tension in this profile is what happens when Air Force One steps up to the top level. In five races at Class 2 — some of the best races in Britain — it has yet to win, going 0 from 5. That's not unusual; these are competitive fields and plenty of decent horses never crack that level. But it does suggest Air Force One is at its most dangerous in slightly less pressurised company, where its consistency becomes a real weapon rather than just a consolation prize.

P J McDonald has been the regular partner, riding in 7 of the 15 races and winning once together — a win rate of around 1 in 7. That's a modest return, but the pair have clearly built a working relationship, and McDonald will know this horse's habits well by now. Recent form reads 12-1-5-6-13-2 from the last six runs, which tells a story of a horse that blows hot and cold — a brilliant win sandwiched between some disappointing efforts — but it raced just yesterday, so it's bang in the middle of an active campaign. Worth keeping a close eye on as the season develops.