Modern Times

The Ripon win is worth examining. Over distances between 5 furlongs and 6 and a half furlongs, Modern Times has won 1 from 7 races — that is 14%, or roughly 1 in every 7. That is comfortably the best version of this horse, and the step down in trip seems to unlock something. Compare that to the Class 4 record — the level this horse competes at most often — where the record reads 0 wins from 12 races, and a picture emerges of a horse that needs things to fall exactly right.

The partnership with jockey Andrew Mullen tells a complicated story too. In 9 races together, they have yet to win — 0 from 9. That is not a criticism of either party; horse racing is full of pairings that simply haven't clicked, and plenty of factors beyond the rider influence the result. But it is a number worth noting given Mullen is the most frequent booking.

What works in Modern Times' favour is the yard behind it. Tim Easterby's operation at Great Habton in North Yorkshire has sent out 126 winners this season alone — that is a yard firing on all cylinders, and horses trained there tend to be placed with care. Six places from 18 races also tells you this horse is competitive and knows where the finishing line is; it just hasn't been first to it very often. The recent form reads 5-3-5-1-4-4, with that "1" being the Ripon win sandwiched between placed efforts and midfield finishes. Modern Times raced just one day ago, so this is a horse very much in the thick of it right now — and with the right conditions, another visit to the winner's enclosure is not out of the question.