Kingdom Of Stars

The shape of the record is instructive. Over longer distances, where Kingdom Of Stars is supposed to be at its best — around two miles — it has won one from eleven races (9%). Drop it into Class 4 company, where it typically runs, and the win rate climbs to one from eight (12%). These fractional improvements matter in racing, but they don't change the fundamental picture: this is a horse that will rack up placings but rarely gets its nose in front. Career prize money would tell us the level it competes at, and that solitary victory aside, Kingdom Of Stars appears to be a horse that earns its living finishing second or third.

The horse was last seen just a day ago and is still actively racing. Kerry Lee's Byton yard in Herefordshire has had a decent season with twelve winners sent out, so the trainer clearly knows how to get horses to the line. Whether Kingdom Of Stars can find another winning opportunity — its first in over a year — remains to be seen. For now, it remains a horse that is useful for place bets but not one to back in the winner's enclosure.