Storminhome

What is striking is the consistency of those near-misses. The last six races read 3-2-9-5-3-2 — two seconds, two thirds, a fifth, and one poor run in ninth. That means Storminhome has finished in the top three four times from its last six races without actually winning any of them. For a horse that has not won since early 2023, that is a peculiar combination of frustrating and impressive. It keeps showing up, keeps getting close, but cannot quite get its nose in front.

The bulk of Storminhome's career has been spent in Class 4 races — which sit in the middle tier of British racing, a competitive level where horses of solid but not elite ability tend to spend most of their time. In nine races at that level, the record is zero wins from nine attempts, which suggests this is a horse that finds things just a little bit too tough when tested at that grade. And yet it keeps placing, which is why it keeps turning up.

The horse is trained by Dan Skelton at his yard in Alcester, Warwickshire — one of the most powerful operations in the country right now, having sent out 194 winners already this season. That kind of firepower means Skelton's horses tend to be well-placed and well-prepared. Regular partner Kielan Woods has ridden Storminhome in 12 of its 15 races, winning once together — a partnership win rate of 8%, or roughly 1 in every 12 rides. Storminhome raced just yesterday and is clearly still in active work, which suggests the yard believe there is still a race to be won somewhere down the line. Whether Doncaster holds the key again remains to be seen.