Raffles Hermes

The recent form makes for interesting reading. After finishing seventh on its least impressive outing, Raffles Hermes has reeled off a fourth, two seconds, and a third in the races since — a run of form that shows the horse heading in the right direction. It raced just yesterday, so it is clearly in the middle of an active campaign right now.

The horse competes at Class 4 level, which sits in the middle tier of British racing — not the headline acts, but not a soft touch either. From three races at that level, it has yet to win, though the consistent placing record shows it belongs in that company. What it needs now is everything to click on the right day.

That day could come through the hands of Robert Walford, who trains out of Okeford Fitzpaine in Dorset. His yard has sent out 10 winners already this season, which tells you this is a team that knows how to get a horse ready to win. Walford is not a trainer who fires horses into races unprepared — a yard ticking along with 10 winners has rhythm and confidence behind it. If Raffles Hermes is going to break its duck, it is in capable hands to do so.