Regulars at a village pub near Devizes will have plenty to cheer about this flat racing season.

For Steve Lamb, who runs The Crown at Bishops Cannings, has high hopes for his new racehorse which he has named after the Wadworth beer 6X.

Mr Lamb bought the two-year-old as a foal from the Tattersalls sales in Newmarket and has had him in training with Richard Hannon in Everleigh since December.

Mr Lamb, 54, said: “I’ve always been interested in racing and have owned a number of horses over the years, with a particular interest in thoroughbreds.

“All my customers at The Crown know about my horses and will be following 6X with interest. I called him 6X because it’s my favourite ale and a winning formula. Let’s hope he becomes a winner too.”

6X has been bred to run on the flat and should be ready to enter novice races from April.

Mr Lamb, who has not riden 6X, said: “I am very pleased with his progress. He improves every time I see him. He’s quite a laid back character, he takes everything in his stride. He’s done everything asked of him, he really is a little star.”

6X comes from a long line of thoroughbreds, with Royal Applause as his sire and Teramo as his dam.

Mr Lamb also owns a two-year-old filly called Aviatrix, which is due to go into training shortly. She is based at Lambourn.

Mr Lamb’s most successful horse was Kristal Breeze. She won five races but died after suffering colic.

Mr Lamb has owned horses for the past 18 years. He and his wife, Julie, have been the landlords at The Crown for a year. Before that he worked in computers at Nationwide Building Society.