Caitouna

What gives the picture a more optimistic tint is the yard behind the horse. Paul W Flynn, training out of Colehill in Co Longford, has sent out 21 winners already this season — a healthy total that suggests a operation in decent form and capable of placing horses where they have a chance. When a stable is firing like that, it tends to mean the horses in their care are fit, well-prepared, and running at the right level. Caitouna raced just one day ago, so it is clearly being kept busy and active, which is often how trainers find the right opportunity for a young horse still learning its trade.

At three years old, Caitouna is still at the beginning of its story. Some horses of this age take time to find their feet, and the improving fourth suggests there may be a small but genuine upward curve. Whether that translates into a first win soon is the question — but with a productive yard in its corner and youth on its side, it would be too early to write this one off entirely.