Barbuda Bay

That second place on debut was the eye-catcher. Coming so close first time out suggested ability was there, and it is exactly the kind of run that keeps the yard — sorry, that keeps a trainer patient and optimistic. But the three runs since have drifted further back, which is something worth watching. Is Barbuda Bay still learning? Still finding the right conditions? Or simply facing stronger company each time? At this stage, we genuinely don't know.

What we do know is that Barbuda Bay races out of Roger Teal's yard in Lambourn, one of British racing's most famous training villages tucked into the Berkshire Downs. Teal has had 21 winners already this season, which shows this is an operation that knows how to get horses to win races. The support and expertise are there — now Barbuda Bay just needs to find a way to convert that into a first victory. Having raced just yesterday, the horse is clearly fit and active, and the right opportunity may not be far away.