Havana Blast

The most striking thing about Havana Blast right now is the recent form. Reading those last six results from newest to oldest — 3rd, 2nd, 10th, 6th, 1st, 4th — there's a clear pattern: after a rough patch in the middle, this horse has found its way back into contention, finishing second and third in its two most recent races. That 10th place looks like a blip rather than a trend, and a second place last time out suggests the horse is knocking on the door again.

At Class 5, which is the level where most everyday racehorses spend their time, Havana Blast has won 1 from 4 races at that grade — a 25% win rate, or roughly 1 in every 4 attempts. That's actually a decent return at this level, and it suggests the horse is competitive when the conditions suit. The challenge is that it has now been 21 months since that Chelmsford win, which means a second victory is long overdue if the current form is anything to go by.

James Fanshawe, who trains out of Newmarket in Suffolk, has had a productive season with 47 winners, which tells you this is a yard that knows how to get horses race-ready. Fanshawe is a respected name in British racing, and having a horse finishing second last time out — and racing again just yesterday — suggests the team see something worth chasing right now. When a trainer keeps a horse busy and in form, it usually means they believe a win is close.

Whether Havana Blast can finally add a second career win remains to be seen, but the current trajectory is pointing in the right direction. Two placings on the bounce, an active campaign, and a trainer firing on all cylinders — the ingredients are there for this horse to convert one of those near-misses into something more.