St Just In Time

The recent form makes for mixed reading. A second place finish is tucked in there — third from last in the sequence — which is the closest it has come to winning, and there have been a couple of other near-misses in the top four. But the most recent outing, just yesterday, produced a tenth-place finish, which is exactly the kind of run that tests the patience of everyone involved. Six races at Class 5 — the entry level of British racing — without a win tells its own story. These are the races designed to give horses like St Just In Time their best possible chance, and it hasn't been able to capitalise.

What works in the horse's favour is where it is trained. Harry Derham's yard at Upper Lambourn has sent out 57 winners this season, which is a serious operation by any measure. A trainer firing at that rate clearly knows how to get horses ready to win, so St Just In Time isn't lacking for professional support. The question is whether the horse has the ability to repay that preparation. Eventually, if the right race comes up on the right day, a first win is possible — but on current evidence, that day hasn't arrived yet.