Holokea

The key to Holokea is simple: put him on normal ground and he turns into a different animal. On standard conditions, he's won 3 of just 4 races — a 75% record that is frankly extraordinary. That's not a coincidence or a fluke; that's a horse who knows exactly what he's doing when the ground suits him. Most of his racing has come at Class 4 level, one step below the top tier of British racing, where he's won 2 of 9. That's a respectable 22%, but the suspicion is there may be more to come if the yard — the yard, rather — decide to test him at a higher level.

James Bowen, who rides for the family stable, has been in the saddle for 11 of Holokea's 17 races and has won 3 of them together — roughly 1 in every 4 rides. That's a partnership that clearly works, built on familiarity and trust. Mickey Bowen himself has had a brilliant season overall, sending out 47 winners from the Haverfordwest yard — a number that puts them firmly among the busier and more productive smaller operations in the sport.

What makes this week's win at Haydock especially interesting is what it might lead to. Bowen has spoken openly about entering Holokea in the Scottish Grand National — one of the most demanding staying races in the calendar — or alternatively targeting a race at Cheltenham's spring meeting, which would represent a significant step up in class. Either option would be a real test, but the trainer clearly believes the horse is ready for it. He's described Holokea as having been brilliant this season, and believes there is more improvement still to come as he fills out physically and gets stronger over longer distances.

One more run, then a summer rest — and a bigger ask waiting on the other side. Holokea looks like a horse whose story is far from finished.