Star Anthem

The real clue to Star Anthem's promise lies in his form at shorter distances. Over five to six and a half furlongs, he has won one from four races — that's a 25% win rate, markedly better than his overall record — and Cox notes approvingly that he "hits the line well" at this trip, suggesting he stays just long enough without being stretched. Recent form has been frustrating: nothing in his last six races, with finishes ranging from fifth to twenty-seventh, but Cox seems unbothered by the drought. His comments about letting the horse "keep his strength" and harboring hopes of reaching Ascot hint at a trainer playing the long game with a horse still maturing.

Star Anthem is usually ridden by Richard Kingscote, who has piloted the horse to a 20% win rate — better than Star Anthem's overall record — across five rides together. With Clive Cox's powerful yard at Lambourn having sent out 48 winners this season, Star Anthem at least benefits from a team clearly in form. Whether he rediscovers the Bath magic that came nearly two years ago remains to be seen, but the structural signs — his preference for shorter trips, his strength returning, and a trainer evidently convinced he will improve — suggest the blank run may yet prove temporary.