Hour By Hour

The other thing that sets Hour By Hour apart is his relationship with Hamilton Park, a tight, undulating track in Scotland. He has won 3 of his 6 races there — that is half his career wins at a single course — which puts him in the category of genuine course specialist. Some horses simply suit the way a particular track rides, and Hamilton seems to bring out the best in him in a way that most other venues do not.

His most recent win came at Haydock Park in October 2024, which means he has now gone 21 months and six races without adding to his tally. His last few runs have produced finishes of 8th, 8th, 12th, 10th, 7th and a non-completion — not a sequence that inspires great confidence on the face of it. But Kirby is not concerned, pointing out that the horse simply has not had the wet ground he needs this year. He finished last season strongly and, according to the yard, is going even better now. He raced just yesterday, which confirms he is fit and active.

Regular jockey Mohammed Tabti has been aboard for 10 of his races and won once together — a 10% win rate, or 1 from 10. At Class 5, where he competes most often, he has won 2 from 10. Adam Kirby's yard at Kirtling, Newmarket has sent out six winners this season, so the operation is ticking along. The pieces are in place — the question, as ever with Hour By Hour, is simply whether it rains.