Counter Intuitive

The pattern in Counter Intuitive's form reveals something useful about where this horse runs best. Over distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, it has won two of three races — a 67% win rate that stands out sharply against its overall record. These are staying distances, the kind that suit horses with stamina and a genuine turn of foot. The yard's first win came at Thirsk on 16 June, then that more recent success at Newmarket suggests the horse is learning how to win at better tracks. Ed Walker, training from Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, has sent out 76 winners this season, so Counter Intuitive is operating within a yard that knows how to train winners.

The most recent run — just one day ago — came with a seventh-place finish, so there may be a bit to learn about consistency. But a horse that wins two of five races, peaks at staying distances, and races for a trainer with a prolific yard this season has every reason to be watched. It has already shown it belongs in winning form, and at only three years old, there is plenty of racing ahead. The question now is whether Counter Intuitive can string together more victories and prove that last month's Newmarket win was the start of a genuine upward curve.