If you’re not already keeping a close eye on James Owen, now’s the time to start. The dual-purpose Newmarket trainer is enjoying a cracking run of form across both codes, blending flat success with jumps consistency, and he’s racking up winners at a pace that demands attention from punters and racing fans alike.

So far in the 2025 season, Owen is operating at a 21% strike rate with 91 winners from 428 runners, and his horses are running right up to expectations – a highly impressive 62.8% RTF (Ran To Form) figure confirms the stable’s strength-in-depth and reliability. Those numbers alone put him firmly among the hottest trainers in Britain at present.

But it’s not just about percentages. The variety in Owen’s success is what really marks him out. From Class 6 AW handicaps to top-end handicaps over hurdles and fences, he’s shown his string is well placed and thriving – a clear sign of a yard that knows exactly where to aim its ammunition.

Take Chelmsford, Southwell, and Wolverhampton – traditionally tricky tracks where trainers often need specialist types and well-planned targets. Owen has developed a real knack for sending out the right horses to the right races. He’s particularly dangerous on the AW circuit, clocking up wins and places with a strike rate and return that outperforms the market more often than not.

Looking ahead, Owen’s upcoming entries are brimming with potential. He has 49 entries in the coming weeks, with names like Grozni (entered in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr) and Ambiente Friendly (targeting Group company at Newmarket) hinting that the stable isn’t just mopping up lower-grade prizes – they’re ambitious too.

Flat prospects such as Trad Jazz, Wimbledon Hawkeye, and Lavender Hill Mob are already turning heads, while jumps campaigners like Honneur D’Ajonc, Ivane, and Jackpot Cash are consistent performers with scope to improve again in the spring ground.

What’s most impressive, though, is Owen’s ability to keep a large string in form across multiple disciplines, distances, and race types. That kind of sustained success often points to excellent yard management, precise placing, and an eye for form and wellbeing that goes beyond stats.

For punters looking to stay ahead of the market, James Owen’s runners deserve max respect – especially at tracks like Southwell, Kempton, and Wolverhampton where he routinely outperforms. Until this purple patch cools off, his name on a racecard should be seen as a major green light.