The recent form makes for interesting reading, though. After some rough runs earlier — finishing sixth and eighth in consecutive races — Known Warrior has found a level of consistency, placing twice in its last four outings and finishing fifth most recently. It raced just yesterday, so this is very much an active campaign, and the uptick in form suggests the team at Richard J Bandey's yard in Tadley, Hampshire, may be getting closer to finding the right race for it.
Harry Bannister has been the regular partner, riding the horse in six of its nine races without a win between them. That kind of long-term combination often signals that trainer and jockey believe they are on the right track and are happy to keep trying together rather than casting around for alternatives. Bandey's yard has sent out 14 winners this season, so the operation clearly knows how to get horses winning — they just haven't cracked the code with this one yet.
Known Warrior has run four times at Class 4 level, which is a solid middle tier of racing — competitive enough to be meaningful, but not the rarefied air of the top events. None of those four races have produced a win. The fact it keeps being placed at this level without winning suggests it may be a horse that needs everything to go perfectly on the day, or possibly that it needs the yard to find a slightly softer spot where it can get its head in front and build some confidence. Either way, that first win would change the picture considerably — and given the improved recent form, it may not be far away.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fontwell Park Tight |
3 | 3 other | 6 May | 0% |
| Plumpton Sharp |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 23 Feb | 0% |
| Doncaster Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 14 Mar | 0% |
| Worcester Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 15 Oct | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 21 Dec | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 24 Mar | 0% |