What makes the numbers a little puzzling is where she tends to run. Class 6 is the lowest tier of British racing — essentially the entry-level grade, where horses go when they need to find easier opportunities. You might expect that to be where a horse picks up the odd win, yet Isla Bella has drawn a blank in all 12 of her races at that level. Zero wins from 12 attempts at the easiest grade available is a tough record to look past.
Her recent form does little to change the picture. In her last six races she has finished 4th, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 7th, and 2nd — reading back from her most recent run five days ago. There is some consistency there in the sense that she keeps placing and showing up, but the winner's enclosure has remained stubbornly out of reach. Jockey Lewis Edmunds has been in the saddle for six of those runs together without a win between them, though it would be unfair to single him out — the horse simply hasn't found the right moment.
Trainer Joey Ramsden operates out of Newark in Nottinghamshire and has sent out five winners this season, so the yard is clearly capable of getting results. Whether Isla Bella can add to that tally is the open question. Her one win came on the sharp, tight track at Brighton, which suits a certain type of horse — perhaps another trip there could be the key to unlocking something. For now, she is a horse who keeps competing and keeps finishing in the frame without quite getting over the line.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
5 | 1 second, 2 thirds, 2 other | 24 Mar | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
5 | 5 other | 2 Apr | 0% |
| Brighton Undulating |
2 | 1 win, 1 other | 28 May | 50% |
| Thirsk Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 16 Sep | 0% |
| Redcar Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 27 Oct | 0% |
| chelmsford | 1 | 1 other | 8 Jan | 0% |
| York Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 14 Jun | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 20 Mar | 0% |
| Carlisle Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 6 Jul | 0% |