Criminal

The recent form tells an interesting story. Those six most recent results — 2nd, 7th, 4th, 2nd, 8th, 11th — show a horse that blows hot and cold. The two runner-up finishes suggest it absolutely has the ability to compete, but something seems to switch off when it matters most. Whether that's a mental quirk, a question of timing, or simply bad luck at crucial moments is hard to say, but being second twice and then drifting to 7th and 11th is the kind of inconsistency that would test any trainer's patience.

That trainer is Richard Hughes, one of the more respected names in British racing, operating out of Upper Lambourn in Berkshire. The yard has been in excellent form this season — 60 winners and counting — which makes Criminal something of an outlier in what is clearly a well-run operation. Jockey Finley Marsh has partnered the horse eight times without a win, meaning the pair are still searching for that breakthrough together. Eight races is a decent sample size, and the fact that Hughes keeps putting Marsh back up suggests there is still belief in the combination, even if the results haven't arrived yet.

Criminal has raced three times at Class 4 level — the kind of mid-tier company where horses of this profile are expected to be competitive — and has yet to win there either. At 14 races in and still looking for a first victory, the clock is ticking. But the places are proof this isn't a horse without ability. It just hasn't found the right day yet — or perhaps it's living up to its name and stealing minor cheques while avoiding any serious responsibility.