Hamsiyann

The trouble is that win now sits 18 months in the past, and the six races since have produced nothing better than a second place. The recent form reading — 15th, then a blank, then second, then fourth, then 20th, then 16th at the most recent outing just yesterday — paints a picture of a horse that has been struggling to recapture that Cheltenham moment. Finishing second and fourth in that middle stretch suggested the form was there somewhere, but the more recent performances have drifted back in the wrong direction.

At the top level, competing in Class 2 races — some of the most competitive events in Britain — Hamsiyann has drawn a blank across four attempts. That is not a disgrace; Class 2 fields are full of horses with far stronger records, and simply getting placed in that company requires real ability. But it does suggest the ceiling may be around that level rather than above it.

Trainer A.J. Martin operates out of Summerhill in County Meath and has had 15 winners on the board this season, which shows the yard is in decent nick. The question for Hamsiyann is whether the right conditions — and perhaps a drop in class — can unlock another performance to match that Cheltenham day. With a win rate of just 6%, roughly 1 win in every 16 races, this is not a horse you back with confidence every week. But horses with a Cheltenham win on their record have proven they can do it at a big moment, and that is always worth remembering.