Tenbob Tommy

The real insight comes when you look at the distances that suit him. Over shorter trips between five and six and a half furlongs, Tenbob Tommy has won two races from six attempts—a one-in-three win rate that stands out starkly against his overall record. Put him in the longer races and he struggles to figure. This is a horse that plainly has a type of race where he belongs, and when conditions fall right, he delivers. His trainer Sheena West, based at Lewes in West Sussex, has clearly identified this and appears to be running him to suit. The yard has been in good form this season with eight winners already.

Charles Bishop, who rides him most often, has won two races from eight rides aboard Tenbob Tommy—a 25% win rate that is considerably better than the horse's overall performance. There is a partnership there that works. The one frustration is his record at the highest class levels, where he has failed to win from eight attempts. Tenbob Tommy is a horse built for the middle ranks, and that is fine. Not every horse needs to run in the top races. His recent wins suggest he is learning where he wins best, and at five years old, he may be coming into his prime. With a race just a day ago, he remains active and in work—still hunting for that next victory.