The recent form offers a faint glimmer of hope. Speechman's last six races read 11th, 9th, 8th, 8th, 3rd, 2nd — in other words, read backwards, that is a horse that has been gradually improving and finding its way closer to the front. Whether that momentum continues is the question, and it's worth noting the horse raced just yesterday, so Kirby clearly believes there is something still to find.
The level Speechman competes at — Class 6, the entry level of British racing — means the bar is not especially high. These are fields full of horses in a similar position, looking for any edge they can find. And yet even here, Speechman has drawn a blank in all four attempts at that level. That said, the improving profile of those recent runs suggests the yard hasn't given up, and with 36 winners already sent out this season, Philip Kirby clearly knows how to get a horse to the winner's enclosure. Speechman just hasn't been the one to oblige — yet.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Galloping |
6 | 6 other | 2 Jun | 0% |
| Ripon Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 18 Jun | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 29 Aug | 0% |
| Beverley Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 3 Jul | 0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 8 Jul | 0% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 4 Sep | 0% |
| Windsor Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 15 Aug | 0% |