Likeness

The magic distance for Likeness is between a mile and a furlong and a mile and two furlongs, the stretch of ground where she has won 1 from 5 races — a 20% win rate that stands out sharply against her record elsewhere. Trainer Jack Channon, who runs a prolific yard at West Ilsley that has already sent out 46 winners this season, clearly understands what this horse needs. The problem is that Likeness has been entered in Class 4 races — the kind where the field is competitive and the margins are small — and has not won any of those four attempts. Her single victory came on softer ground and in a less demanding race, suggesting she may need the right conditions and level of opposition to show her best. With recent form that reads 3-1-2-5-4-2, there are moments of promise but also the nagging sense that Likeness has not quite found her feet at the higher level. Still racing regularly and still only three, she remains a horse with time to figure out exactly where she belongs.