Irish Incentive

The recent form figures tell a story of inconsistency rather than hopelessness. That second place sits among a string of mid-field finishes, and the latest run — twelfth, just yesterday — is the kind of result that raises questions. Whether that was a blip, a track that didn't suit, or simply a bad day, only time will tell. What it does confirm is that Irish Incentive is a horse in active training and being kept busy, which suggests the team around it still believes there's a race to be won somewhere.

That team is Gay Kelleway's yard in Exning, Suffolk. Kelleway is a trainer with a lean operation — two winners on the board so far this season — which means every run counts and every horse earns its place on the lorry. In a small yard, a horse with zero wins from six races has to be showing something in the mornings to keep its spot in the programme. The fact that Irish Incentive is still racing regularly says something about the faith the stable has in it, even if the results haven't arrived yet.

For a three-year-old, time remains on its side. Horses this age are still learning their trade, still figuring out what trips and conditions bring out the best in them. The first win, when it comes, will matter more than the wait suggests.