That said, the recent form is not entirely without hope. A second-place finish sits among the last six results, which at least shows Top Star is capable of being competitive on the right day. But the overall picture — 5th, 10th, 4th, 7th, 2nd, 8th in reverse order — is patchy at best, and the horse raced as recently as yesterday, so there is no question of it being short of experience or opportunity. It has simply not been able to get its nose in front.
Most of Top Star's racing has come at Class 6, which is the lowest tier of British racing — the entry-level contests where horses are supposed to find easier ground. Even there, the record reads 0 wins from 7 races. When a horse cannot win at the bottom rung, it tends to suggest that something — whether that is physical, mental, or simply ability — is getting in the way. Trainer Dean Ivory, based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, is an experienced hand who has sent out 7 winners already this season, so the training side of things appears to be functioning well. The puzzle is why Top Star cannot translate that into a result.
Until the horse finds a way to break its duck, it remains one of racing's nearly-men — always present, rarely threatening, and still searching for that first winning moment.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 21 Apr | 0% |
| chelmsford | 3 | 3 other | 7 Mar | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 1 Jun | 0% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 14 Jun | 0% |
| Ffos Las Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 12 Sep | 0% |
| Goodwood Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 21 Jun | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 11 Feb | 0% |
| Windsor Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 15 Jul | 0% |
| Chepstow Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 26 Aug | 0% |
| Nottingham Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 19 May | 0% |