Royal Poetry

The horse's record over the past six races tells a story of someone trying to find their feet at a higher level. After a second place two starts ago, it managed only a seventh on its most recent outing just a day ago, suggesting it may have found the race a touch sharp. But Royal Poetry has proven it can deliver when the distance stretches to between a mile and three furlongs and a mile and four furlongs — it has won one of three races at that trip (33%), which is a significant indicator that it performs best when given room to settle into a rhythm.

Trained by Richard Hannon at Herridge in Wiltshire, Royal Poetry sits in a yard that has been in tremendous form this season, with 118 winners already sent out. Royal Poetry claimed its first career victory at Wolverhampton back in April, then broke through again at Doncaster in July — eight weeks ago now — which suggests the horse is capable of converting chances. The challenge ahead will be stringing wins together more consistently and proving it can handle the step up in quality when it gets the chance. At three years old, there is still plenty of potential for improvement, and if Hannon can find the right race and distance combination again soon, Royal Poetry could easily add to its tally.