Blue Hercules

What gives some reason for optimism is the team behind the horse. William Muir and Chris Grassick operate out of Lambourn in Berkshire — one of the most famous training centres in British racing — and they have sent out 21 winners already this season. That is a yard in decent form, and horses with active, winning trainers tend to get every opportunity to show what they can do. The fact that Blue Hercules raced just yesterday tells you the team are keeping the horse busy and haven't given up on finding the right opportunity.

At this stage, Blue Hercules is a work in progress. Two races is a very small sample — plenty of horses need three, four, or even more outings before the penny drops. The real question is whether the yard can find a race that suits, because right now there is a gap between potential and performance that only the track can close.