Crown of India

Worcester is Crown of India's track. The horse has won two of its five races there, a win rate that stands out sharply against its overall record. That last win came five months ago, in May, and the recent form is more complicated—three finishes in the top 3 from the last six runs, but only one of those was a win (most recent, a day ago). The pattern suggests a horse that finishes well enough to collect prize money but struggles to break through into the winners' circle at most venues. On normal ground with a full journey of at least two miles, Crown of India performs at its best: two wins from 11 races on those terms, which is nearly double its overall win rate. Soft or heavy ground, or shorter trips, tend not to suit.

Alex Hales's Edgcote yard has sent out twelve winners this season, so Crown of India operates in a functioning team. Kielan Woods has been its most frequent partner, with one win from five rides together—a 20% win rate, notably better than the horse's baseline, which hints at a rider-horse combination worth monitoring. At Class 4 level, where Crown of India typically races, the horse has just the one win from 13 attempts, suggesting it bumps up against horses it can sometimes outrun but rarely dominates. The career earnings—two wins in 24 races—do add up to a useful, if unspectacular, earner. This is a horse that will keep punching its weight at the right venue, in the right conditions, with the right jockey. Worcester in normal ground and distance: mark those down.