The Lost King

His recent months tell a story of a horse in winning form. He picked up a Class 2 victory at Wolverhampton in March, followed by another Class 2 success at Kempton Park in January — top-level races that show he belongs in serious company. When racing at Class 2, his highest level, he wins half his races. But the real highlight came at York on 20 August, just seven weeks ago. Since then, his form has cooled slightly: two second-place finishes and three placings from his last six outings suggest he has not quite recaptured that peak, though a runner-up finish in his most recent race shows he remains competitive. Trainer Andrew Balding, who runs the powerful Kingsclere yard, has saddled him for all these races. Balding's operation has sent out 202 winners this season, an impressive haul from a top-flight stable. Jockey Oisin Murphy has ridden him five times, winning once, a modest but not unusual return from their partnership.

The Lost King is a horse worth keeping an eye on at his preferred distances and trip. He has already proved he can win at the highest level of racing he has encountered, and his recent dip in form looks more like natural variation than any deeper problem. Given his track record over seven furlongs to a mile, and his ability to land Class 2 races, there is every reason to expect he will get back to the winner's circle soon.