Almavillalobas

The recent form makes for uncomfortable reading. In its last six races, the best finish has been fifth, twice, with a string of tenth and eleventh-place results filling in the rest. Those aren't near-misses. Finishing tenth or eleventh means the horse was well beaten, trailing home as the field had already sorted itself out long before the line. At Class 6 — the lowest tier of British racing, where the least-credentialled horses compete — Almavillalobas has managed zero wins from five attempts at that level. When a horse can't win at the bottom rung, questions naturally arise about where a win might come from.

The yard handling all of this is Jim & Suzi Best, based in Lewes, East Sussex. They're a solid, experienced operation who have sent out 13 winners already this season, so they clearly know how to get a horse ready to perform. Almavillalobas raced just one day ago, meaning it is very much an active runner — this isn't a horse being quietly put out to pasture. Someone still believes there's a race to be won, and given the trainer's wider record, it would be premature to write that belief off entirely.

Whether the belief is justified is the question. Nine races is enough of a sample to form a view, and right now the view isn't flattering. But racing has a long tradition of horses who took time to find their moment, and with Jim & Suzi Best in its corner, Almavillalobas at least has professional support behind it. The next run will be watched — if not by many, then certainly by those still waiting for the breakthrough.