That said, context matters. Northern Tempest only raced yesterday, so this is very much a horse in the middle of its story rather than at the end of it. Three-year-olds are still developing physically and mentally through their first season, and a 4th and a 5th suggest there are moments where it gets involved — it just hasn't been able to finish the job when it counts.
The one genuinely encouraging factor here is who has the horse in their care. Michael Dods, training out of Piercebridge in County Durham, has sent out 43 winners already this season — that is a yard in serious form, and horses with Dods tend to be placed with care and purpose. When a trainer is firing at that rate, you can be reasonably confident that a horse still searching for its first win is being given every chance to find the right opportunity, rather than just being sent out to make up the numbers.
Northern Tempest's time may well come. For now, it is one to watch rather than one to celebrate.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 13 Apr | 0% |
| Carlisle Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 29 May | 0% |
| Pontefract Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 20 Oct | 0% |