Dash Of Class

That said, the recent form has genuine signs of improvement. The last six results, reading from most recent backwards, go 5-3-4-10-12-6 — and if you flip that around, you see a horse that was finishing well down the field and has gradually crept closer to the front. Third place in a recent race is the best effort so far, and coming after a couple of distant finishes, it suggests something may be clicking into place.

The trainer partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole is worth paying attention to here. Based at Elmbridge in Worcestershire, their yard has sent out 51 winners already this season — that is a serious training operation, not a small outfit making up the numbers. When a yard of that quality keeps running a horse, it usually means they see something worth developing. Newland in particular has a strong reputation for being patient with horses and knowing when to place them to best advantage. The fact that Dash Of Class is still racing and active right now suggests the team believe there is a win in this horse — they just haven't found the right moment yet.

Six races without a win at three years old is not a crisis — plenty of horses take time to mature and find their level. The question now is whether that third-place finish was a sign of things to come, or just a good day. Keep an eye on where the yard decides to run this one next, because with 51 winners behind them this season, they tend to know what they are doing.