The recent form makes for sobering reading. Finishing 16th, 8th, 9th, 9th, 5th, and 14th across the last six races is not the trajectory of a horse building toward something — it is a horse that has largely been making up the numbers. The one bright spot in that sequence, a fifth-place finish, is at least a sign there is some ability in there somewhere, but it has been buried more often than not.
At four years old, Monotone is still relatively young and has its best racing years ahead. The most encouraging part of the profile is what happens over shorter distances. At five to six-and-a-half furlongs, Monotone has won 1 from 7 races — roughly 1 in every 7 attempts at those trips — compared to nothing at all over other distances. That is not a world-beating number, but it does suggest that when conditions suit, there is a performance in there. Sprint distances are where to look.
Trainer Antony Brittain, based at Warthill in North Yorkshire, has sent out 22 winners this season, which shows he knows how to place a horse to its best advantage. The question is whether he can find the right spot for Monotone to show its best again. With a race just yesterday, this is a horse firmly in active campaign — and somewhere in that record is a winning performance waiting to be unlocked.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Curragh Galloping |
5 | 2 thirds, 3 other | 27 Jun | 0% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 20 Dec | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 win | 30 Mar | 100% |
| York Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 26 Jul | 0% |
| Thirsk Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 18 Apr | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 30 Jan | 0% |
| Pontefract Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 7 Apr | 0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 21 May | 0% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 5 Jun | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 23 Mar | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 16 Apr | 0% |