Ballon Rouge

That said, Ballon Rouge races out of one of the more respected yards in British racing. Trainer Ed Dunlop, based in Newmarket — the spiritual home of flat racing in Britain — has sent out 36 winners already this season, which speaks to a stable in good form. A horse that runs for a trainer doing that kind of business is at least in capable hands, even if it hasn't yet repaid the faith. Having raced as recently as yesterday, Ballon Rouge is clearly being kept busy, which suggests the team still believes there is something to work with.

At this stage, Ballon Rouge is simply a horse waiting for things to click. Not every young horse finds its feet at three, and a change in conditions or a drop in the level of competition could yet spark a different result. For now, though, the scorecard makes for sobering reading.