Miralago

The recent form makes for interesting reading. A second place, two thirds, a blank run, and then a fifth last time out just three days ago — so this is a horse very much in active service. That sequence of placings suggests Miralago finds a level, runs honestly enough, but something always seems to get in the way of that final push to the front. Whether that changes any time soon remains to be seen.

Miralago runs out of Georgina Nicholls's yard at Kingston Lisle in Oxfordshire, and it is worth noting that Nicholls has been in decent form this season — 11 winners already, which is a solid return for a training operation. A yard sending out that many winners is clearly doing things right, which keeps hope alive that Miralago's turn could come. The horse has spent its time competing at Class 3 level, which sits comfortably in the middle tier of British racing — not the very top, but a step up from the everyday. Going winless in all three races at that level is a modest record, though the placing suggests it belongs there even if it hasn't quite cracked it yet.