Tuscan Point

The recent form is the most encouraging thing about Tuscan Point right now. Reading from the latest race backwards — second, first, third, sixth, fifth, fourth — you can see a horse that has clearly found its feet in the last few months. That winning run at Southwell sits in the middle of a purple patch, with a second place either side of it. Whatever clicked for the team around March, it seems to have stuck.

Where Tuscan Point looks most at home is over the shorter distances — between five furlongs and six and a half. In eight races at those trips, it has won once and hit the frame on several other occasions, giving it a 12% win rate in that range, or roughly 1 win in every 8 attempts. That might not sound spectacular, but for a horse with just one career win to its name, finding a distance where it genuinely competes matters. Trainer Adam Kirby, based at Kirtling on the outskirts of Newmarket, has had one winner out so far this season, making Tuscan Point's March victory a meaningful contribution to a yard still building momentum.

One relationship worth watching is the one with jockey Oisin Orr, who has ridden the horse six times without getting a win. Six races together is a decent sample — long enough to notice — and the blank record is a minor puzzle given how well Tuscan Point has been running lately. Whether that partnership continues as the horse heads into what looks like a productive spell will be interesting to follow. Raced just eight days ago and clearly in good heart, Tuscan Point looks like a horse to keep on the right side of at sprint trips in the weeks ahead.