Two Tempting

The ground tells the real story. Two Tempting absolutely comes alive when conditions are wet or muddy. On slightly soft ground, the horse has won 3 times from 7 races — a striking 43 percent win rate. Push it even softer and muddy, and the numbers stay strong: 3 wins from 10 races, or 30 percent. Fast, dry ground is a different story altogether. This is a horse that needs the rain and the give underfoot, and when it gets those conditions, it transforms into a genuine contender.

Two Tempting also has a strong case as a course specialist at Chester, where it has won 2 of its last 4 races. That kind of consistency at one venue suggests the horse knows the track and settles well there — valuable information for anyone hoping to catch it on the right day.

The recent form, however, is a concern. Two Tempting has not found the winner's circle in six consecutive races, with results reading 4-17-3-3-2-3. That last outing came just a day ago, another near-miss in fourth place. Jonathan Portman trains the horse at Upper Lambourn, and while the yard has had a productive season with 46 winners overall, Two Tempting seems to have lost its way. If soft ground comes and conditions suit, there is still a horse here capable of winning races at the top level. But until that winning return arrives, the recent dryness in its form cannot be ignored.