Chicago Call

What makes Chicago Call slightly more interesting than those bare numbers is the connection with jockey Ben Coen. When they pair up, the horse wins at a much better rate—one win from six races together, nearly one in three—which hints that the partnership clicks in a way it doesn't always with other riders. That matters, because in racing, fit between jockey and horse is real and measurable. Trainer J P Murtagh, based at Coolaghknock Glebe in Kildare, has had a strong season overall with 53 winners sent out from the yard, so there is no obvious issue with the training setup.

The real story here is the drought. Thirteen months have passed since that Fairyhouse victory. Chicago Call was raced six times in the last stretch and came home unplaced in four of them, with a pair of efforts that netted a place each time. The horse was out just a day ago, which shows the yard is still trying to find the right spot and conditions. At three years old, there is still time for Chicago Call to click again—plenty of horses take a long time to find their feet—but right now this looks like a horse searching for answers.