After a total of seven trials, including five failed ones, the enigmatic Crossborderpegasus makes his long-awaited return in Sunday’s Class Three Parkes Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

Although his quirks are undeniable, the son of Rich Enuff has talent in spades, winning three of his four starts last season despite his riders often having to finish the race on one rein as he hung in markedly.

That tendency was on full display on his reappearance this campaign, where he threw his chance away by once again lugging in under pressure, but still managed to finish second.

That caught the attention of the stewards, who have been busy scrutinising the promising four-year-old in barrier trials, where he failed five straight goes post return.

After plenty of perseverance, however, Crossborderpegasus passed his two most recent trials, and his trainer John Size is hoping his rising force can finally put his best foot forward on race day when he breaks from barrier 11 under James Orman.

“We haven’t really had much experience with him actually – he hasn’t had much racing but what he’s done so far, he’s shown plenty of ability and I’m sure he’s going to win a nice race in the future,” Size said.

“We haven’t really changed anything [to get him to straighten out]. We’ve fiddled around with a bit of gear, but just from the trialling and the time away from racing, his habits have steadily improved.

“I don’t really know why he was laying in so much – he’s not been talking to me! His last two trials have certainly been acceptable, otherwise he wouldn’t be going to the races, so it’ll be interesting to where he goes from here.”

Although many would probably describe him as a frustrating one to train, Size does not see it that way, and is just grateful to have a horse with such natural ability in his stable.

“You’re grateful to have a horse with as much ability as him, as opposed to not, so frustrating isn’t how I’d describe him,” Size said. “He’s had regular trials and although it’s hard to tell without racing, he looks very healthy and well.

“I have no idea how good he could be – I know he’s going to pick up some more races, but you never know when they’re going to hit their mark.”

Size rolls into Sha Tin on Sunday with a strong squad, which includes last-start winner Young Champion in the Class Two Pilkem Handicap (1,200m).

After a trio of near-misses at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley, his luck turned over course and distance on his latest start, snapping a 17-race losing sequence in the process.

The Zoustar galloper has drawn barrier seven under Hugh Bowman and Size is hoping for another big effort.

“He always runs pretty well – he’s in good shape at the moment. He’s healthy and strong, and I have no doubt he’ll run another nice race,” Size said.

Size will also saddle up the consistent pair of Endued and Endeared, with both backing up off near misses on their most recent starts.

Endued, who runs in the Class Three Humphreys Handicap (1,600m), is a dual winner this campaign, winning two starts ago before almost following up when missing out by a short head behind The Golden Knight on his most recent start.

Much of the same applies to Endeared, who was an eye-catching winner from miles off the pace on his penultimate start, before arriving a fraction too late when beaten a short head into third on the all-weather last time.

He runs in the Class Three Jordan Handicap (1,400m) and will break from stall eight under Zac Purton, while Endued has barrier one for Andrea Atzeni.

“Endued has been very genuine, he’s been consistent and strong all season. He’s in the finish for most of his starts and he’s a nice horse to go to the races with,” Size said.

“Endeared has been in great shape too and the little fella seems to be very healthy at the moment. I was hoping he could win on the dirt last start, which would have made his life a bit easier.

“At 1,400m, the overall time is normally a bit quick for him, but he’s top weight in the race so it might not be the strongest Class Three.”