Circus of Rome

The numbers tell that tale clearly. Circus of Rome won twice in three attempts at Class 3 level (the kind of race where it genuinely belongs), but hasn't crossed the line first in thirteen months. That last victory came at Newcastle on 21 August 2025, and since then it has been a grind—six consecutive races without a win, though it has picked up places along the way. The most recent outing, just a day ago, saw it finish second, which at least suggests some fight remains.

There are genuine reasons to think this horse can find its way back to the winner's circle. Trained by Richard Hughes at Upper Lambourn, a yard that has sent out 60 winners this season alone, Circus of Rome performs notably better on normal ground conditions, winning two of five races there (40%). It also has a clear distance preference: the mile-and-a-half to two-mile range brings out the best in it, with a 40% win rate over that stretch. More encouragingly, jockey Finley Marsh has an exceptional record in the saddle: three wins from ten rides together, a 30% win rate that substantially outperforms the horse's overall figures. When Marsh is aboard on a normal ground day at the right distance, in a Class 3 race, Circus of Rome becomes genuinely competitive. It hasn't won in over a year, but the ingredients for a return to form are plainly there.