Jack Dempsey

The level Jack Dempsey competes at — Class 4, the solid middle tier of British racing — is not the glamour end of the sport, but it is competitive enough that simply getting around and finishing in the first half of the field takes some ability. Going 0 from 3 at that level, however, suggests the horse has not yet found the conditions or the race to unlock something better. Whether that day comes remains to be seen.

What is not in doubt is that the yard behind Jack Dempsey is doing plenty right this season. Trainer Ian Duncan, based in Coylton in Ayrshire, has sent out 9 winners already this term, which tells you this is an operation capable of getting horses to the track ready to run their best race. The fact that Jack Dempsey raced just yesterday and is clearly in active work shows the team believe there is still something to aim at — you do not keep running a horse this regularly unless you think a breakthrough is possible. For now, though, the waiting continues.