Laughterintherain

The recent form tells a mixed story. After last week's win, Laughterintherain came home fourth at the weekend, which is an honest effort without being spectacular. Before that, the horse had finished seventh, sixth, and eighth in quick succession — patches of poor form that happen to most young runners, and nothing to lose sleep over. A second place earlier in the campaign showed the horse has the ability to run well, so the question now is whether the yard can build on that Lingfield win and find more races over the preferred distance and at tracks where it's likely to enjoy itself.

Ed Walker's Upper Lambourn yard has had a strong season with 76 winners, so Laughterintherain has the support of a trainer and team in good form. For a horse that has earned just enough to make racing interesting but not much more, the next few weeks will tell whether that Lingfield breakthrough was a turning point or simply a rare highlight in what might be a modest racing career.