Buck Barrow

The four-year-old is trained by Adrian Wintle, whose yard at Westbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire has been in decent form this season — 30 winners sent out is a solid return, which suggests the horses in the stable are running well even if Buck Barrow hasn't added to that tally lately. The most recent six runs read 6-10-6-10-3-2, meaning a couple of near-misses buried in there but nothing converted into a win. That second place is the most tantalising — close enough to suggest the ability is present, just not quite enough to get over the line.

Jockey Finley Marsh has had the ride six times and is still waiting for a first win together, which is one of those statistics that looks stark on paper but simply reflects how tight margins are at this level. Buck Barrow competes almost exclusively in Class 6 races — the entry-level tier of British racing — where it has won 1 from 8 attempts, a 12% win rate at that grade. That is modest, though not embarrassing; plenty of horses at this level never win at all.

Where things get slightly more encouraging is over a distance of a mile and three to a mile and four furlongs. Buck Barrow has won 1 from 9 races at those trips, an 11% win rate, which is actually the horse's best ground. It suggests the step up in distance suits and that the yard — the trainer and team — have identified the right conditions. Whether a second win is coming is the question. The form over the last six races has not been encouraging, but the horse raced just yesterday and is clearly still being aimed at opportunities. Sometimes with horses like this, it just takes the right day.