Ice Jet

The wider record reads one win and four places from 12 outings, a win rate of around 1 in every 12 races, which is modest on paper. But the more telling number is what happens when Ice Jet is sent over longer trips. At distances of two miles and beyond, the horse has won 1 from 5 races — that's a 20% win rate, or roughly 1 in every 5 attempts. Compare that to its overall record and it's clear the extra distance suits. Horses that have a specific condition they thrive in are always more interesting to follow, and Ice Jet's preference for a proper test of stamina is now in sharp focus.

The recent form had been mixed before that Huntingdon victory — a couple of mid-field finishes in the runs prior to last week — but a second place along the way shows the ability was always there. Ice Jet is trained by Dan Skelton at his yard in Alcester, Warwickshire, and that context matters. Skelton's operation has sent out 194 winners already this season, making it one of the most productive yards in the country. Horses from this stable are well-prepared and well-placed, so when one finally clicks into gear, it tends to mean something.

Ice Jet has typically competed at Class 4 level — solid, competitive races without being the very top tier of the sport — and has yet to win at that level specifically. The Huntingdon success came at a moment when the conditions and the distance clearly aligned. Whether this is the start of a run or a one-off remains to be seen, but a horse from a 194-winner yard, now proven over distance and fresh off a win, is one worth keeping an eye on.