Jackmoon

What makes the recent form particularly striking is how close Jackmoon has been running. In its last six races, the horse has finished second three times and third twice, with only one run outside the places. That is not a horse drifting through the field — that is a horse who keeps showing up, keeps running its race, and keeps finding one rival too good on the day. For anyone watching those finishes, it must be genuinely agonising.

Jackmoon raced just one day ago and remains in active training under J P Flavin, whose yard is based in Tramore, County Waterford. Flavin's team has sent out 10 winners this season, so there is no shortage of confidence in the operation. The question hanging over Jackmoon is whether a first career win is still possible, or whether this is simply a horse built to finish second. At seven years old, the window is not getting wider — but the form line from its last few races suggests the talent is genuinely there. Sometimes the right race, the right day, and the right margin is all that separates a horse like this from finally breaking through. Jackmoon deserves that moment.