Territorial Star

The worry is that trend in reverse — a second and a third have given way to a sixth, ninth, and then a tenth. Read from oldest to most recent, those middle runs look like a horse that lost its way for a spell. The encouraging news is that the two most recent efforts represent a genuine return to form, and with a race just yesterday, Territorial Star is clearly in an active campaign right now.

At Class 5 level — the entry point of British racing, where horses are essentially finding their feet in competitive company — Territorial Star has been placed twice in five attempts but hasn't won any of them. That's a patience-testing record at the lower end of the sport, but it's worth noting that placed horses at this level do sometimes find a race that suits them perfectly and break through. The trainer partnership of Tony Culhane and Stella Barclay, based in Garstang in Lancashire, have sent out six winners this season, so they clearly know how to get a horse ready to win. The question is whether they can find the right opportunity for this one.

For now, Territorial Star is a horse that keeps competing, keeps putting rivals under some pressure at least, and has shown enough in those two recent placed runs to suggest the yard — sorry, the yard — haven't given up on finding that winning moment. Patience from everyone involved will be required.