Electric Bass

The frustration is real. In 14 races, Electric Bass has never won, though he has placed — finishing in the top three — eight times. That means he has been competitive in more than half his races without ever getting his nose in front. The recent form makes it even harder to look away: in his last six races, he has finished second three times. He keeps showing up, keeps finishing close, and keeps leaving empty-handed.

Jockey Jack Mitchell has ridden him six times without a win between them, but the pair were together for what Teal describes as an encouraging return second at Southwell — a result that suggests the horse has come into this season in decent shape. There was also a result at Kempton in November that stings a little: Electric Bass was placed first past the post, only to be demoted to second on a stewards' decision. That is the kind of thing that makes the win column look misleading. He has, in a meaningful sense, been even closer than the record shows.

He races at Class 6 level — the entry-level tier of British racing — and has done so in all eight of those attempts without a win. That is not a statement about a horse lacking talent; it is simply where the yard has chosen to place him, and at that level the margins between winning and placing can be razor thin. At four years old and currently in active training, he has time on his side. The question is whether the small adjustments Teal is clearly working through will finally produce the result that the placings keep hinting at. Eight second or third-place finishes from 14 races suggests a horse that belongs at this level — it just needs to stop finishing second in it.